Marv Levy is realizing among the advantages of turning 100 is no longer having to fudge his age.
"Well, I'd prefer to be turning 25, to tell you the truth," the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach said, with a laugh, his distinct booming voice resonating over the phone from his hometown of Chicago last week.
Acknowledging his age is actually a switch for Levy. It wasn't until years after landing the Buffalo Bills head coaching job in 1986 when it was revealed how Levy shaved three years off his age out of fear NFL teams wouldn't hire a 61-year-old.
"But no, I'm very appreciative," Levy said of his milestone birthday, which is on Sunday. "I've been very fortunate with all the people I've associated with, including my dear wife Frannie and my daughter Kimberly."
And many of those associates - family, friends, former players, coaches and executives - will all be on hand in Canton, Ohio, on Friday, when the Hall of Fame hosts a party to celebrate Levy's 100th birthday.