"I couldn't bear to watch the game without being in it," Watson said. "I said to myself, 'I'm just as good as some of those guys. They're making money, and I'm sitting here.'"

Watson will get another opportunity to fulfill a life-long goal this weekend when he participates in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' three-day mini-camp for rookies in Tampa, Fla.

A good showing there would be the first step in making the Bucs' 53-player roster, he said Tuesday during a news conference at Total Fitness Family Center near Powdersville, where Watson has spent much of the past seven months working out in hopes of boosting his chances for a professional career.

Watson said he and friend Emery Williams, owner of the fitness center, contacted all 32 NFL teams in hopes of sparking some interest. Tampa Bay called in late March and invited Watson for a one-day workout on April 1.

"I had a pretty good showing there, then they called me a couple of days ago and said they were going to bring me down for their mini-camp," Watson said.

Watson, who will turn 24 on Sunday, was South Carolina's "Mr. Football" in 1998 after a record-setting career at Palmetto High School in Williamston. He rushed for 2,573 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior, then capped that with a record 275 yards rushing in the Shrine Bowl.

After a heated recruiting battle in which Watson wavered among Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina, the running back signed with the Gamecocks. He rushed for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore and led the Southeastern Conference with an average of 166.7 all-purpose yards per game. But he also was plagued by a litany of off-the-field problems — ranging from traffic violations and assault charges to marijuana possession — and was suspended by the school in January 2002.

Watson finished his career with one season at South Carolina State, then was cut by the New England Patriots during their rookie camp in 2003.

"I've put it all behind me," Watson said. "I can't look back and dwell on the mistakes. It was a learning process for me. I regret some of the things that happened, but it also made me grow up and become more mature."

Saying he's now in the best physical and mental condition of his life, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Watson is eager to make the most of another chance.

"I'm not going to play with fire and see if this is my last chance — I'm going down there to make the most of it," Watson said. "It is nice to know that there's a team interested in me, and that has been motivation for me. It has been a while since I've been this happy."

Watson said he would travel to Tampa on Thursday and is scheduled to participate in two practices on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday before returning to his Anderson residence Sunday afternoon.