April 11, 2012: Four days of growth

OK everyone, razors down. The season of the playoff beard is upon us, and I shaved for the last time Saturday morning. Opinions vary as to when one should start a playoff beard: As soon as your team clinches a playoff spot? The day the playoffs start? I opted to shave up to and including the final day of the regular season before setting down the razor.

Now, after four days of unfettered growth, I may not be on track for the fiercest or fullest beard out there, but I'm solid. And I do know a thing or two about growing facial hair. On January 1 of this year, I shaved a beard I had been growing since October 2010. Trust me, you approach messy foods—and even marginally messy foods—differently when you have 14 months of hair on your face. It's a commitment. On January 1 I just felt it was time for a change.

Now I'm working for the Predators as the interactive marketing coordinator. (Some of you may have met me during the Find Doug contests we run on Facebook and Twitter.) Now I have a reason—a really good reason—to grow a beard once again. Not only are the Predators beginning what promises to be a thrilling playoff run, the Predators section of the Beard-a-Thon website allows growers like me can help raise money for the Nashville Predators Foundation. Specifically, all proceeds from this fund-raiser go toward the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Grant.

So If you haven't started your playoff beard, guys, there's no time like the present. The playoffs begin tonight and you can still be in on the ground floor. It takes about 5 minutes to sign up. And the site is not exclusive: Women are welcome to sign up too and gather pledges—crocheted beard, no beard, whatever.

If you don't want to join, consider pledging toward me and my beard, or one of the other charitable fans supporting their team.

Here's hoping for some long whiskers, Preds fans.