The guy at locker No. 243 is a real sports fan. For the past year, while getting dressed for work at the gym, we talk sports. We don't even know one another by name. Our "greetings"consist of what transpired the night before on the field, on the court, or in the ring.

I call him a real fan because his passion isn't limited to just one team's fortunes. For instance, he's a Giants' fan, but he knows the names, strengths, and weaknesses of every opponent his team faces. In fact, he's provided me helpful inspiration and insight on the ongoing debate I have with some of my co-workers.

They say the real sports fan is one who follows only one team, and knows only the star players on that team. I say the real fan is one who appreciates the entire landscape of the sports world. He's the fan who, in addition to watching his favorite team play, also watches all of Sunday's highlights because he likes to see great players making great plays around the league.

Last year, while writing an Eddie George story, my editor thought I should explain to the readers why George's 300-yard game against Illinois his senior year was such a big deal. I thought the number spoke for itself. I told this guy about it. "That's crazy!" he said in his heavy Italian, New York accent. "Anyone who knows anything about football knows that's a big deal. Tell your boss I said so!" I passed that information to my editor and I won my argument.

This past Monday morning, I was hoping to speak to him about the Trinidad-Hopkins fight. I didn't see it and was hoping he'd tell me about it. But when he didn't show, it occurred to me that I haven't seen this guy in a little more than two weeks. I haven't seen him since September 11.

That worries me. Like I said, I don't know his name. He did tell me he was a "financial" guy. I'm not going to assume he works at the World Trade Center. And I won't assume that he's part of the nearly 5,000 people missing. I'll just assume he hasn't been working out lately. When he returns, I'll get his name.

And his take on that fight.

Alan Grant, a former NFL defensive back, writes football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at alan.grant@espnmag.com.