Ready for some football?
I got in the car to ride around yesterday. I wasn’t going too far, probably not far enough for the air conditioner to really get it cooled down anyway, so I just put the windows down and enjoyed the Carolina Summer. It’s that time of the year.
When I pick up the N&O sports section, articles are starting to pepper the paper on the upcoming college sports seasons. I saw Carolina’s ad hawking football tickets over the weekend.
The Panthers are in training camp. An article in one of the weekend papers spoke with excitement about the improvement in my beloved Cowboys’ defense. Even without Bill Parcells, there’s excitement in Big D.
I met a couple from Texas Friday night. Understand that Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemmens are from Texas, and Kevin Durant played for the University of Texas and went number two in the NBA draft. They really do play other sports there, but they confirmed still for most of us from Texas will say there are only two sports there: football and spring football. Maybe they are a little fanatical, but it’s not that different in North Carolina.
I interviewed a football coach Monday, and while we were talking his cell phone went off. It played the Notre Dame Fight Song as the ring tone. I think Coach Williamson is ready.
Monday morning cheerleaders were beginning practice. They’re getting ready to turn heads and stir the spirit on Friday nights. They’re eager for the season to get underway.
Monday night football players across the state were putting on some tattered practice jerseys salvaged from seasons past; beginning the work on the blocking formations and running the passing routes. They’re full of energy and optimism.
My daughter, Kelly, was taking photos of the young guys on the first night of football practice. She was impressed with how many were eager to get their photos in the newspaper. They’re proud to say they are out there.
There is something different about football. No offense, but there are reasons that they build stadiums for football. There is something very appealing to the male population when it comes to football. It takes a lot of hard work and determination by a lot of young men to put a football team out on the field. [And, yes, occasionally, young women.]
Most schools are blessed with some fine athletes, but to get twenty-two young men out there executing the game plan, putting in the extra effort to win the battle in the trenches takes something extra. Sometimes you are not going to be the biggest and the strongest. It can very much be a battle of wills.
And they put on helmets. Their hats are distinctive. It carries the school logo. It’s a sign of school pride. You represent not only those in the hallways of your school, but the ones who went before you. There are parents, and in some cases grandparents, who strapped on the helmet before you. It’s the sign you are a football player, ready to go out onto the field and do battle.
And right now they are all winners.
The victories are hollow if they are not won on the field of battle. Yes, there is some consolation in playing a good team well, even if you don’t claim the “W”, but there is no substitute.
I watched some fathers watching their sons from a distance.
To be sure, once they start playing for real, teams will have to lose, but right now, it is great to see the energy, the enthusiasm, and the optimism.
Are you ready for some football? I am!
It was one of those times that you’re sick on your stomach. You’re filled with dread about what you know will come.
Fortunately, I got concerned about doing my job, getting in the right place to get the pictures and getting out of the way of those who were doing their jobs. The emotions of the moment gave way to the duties of the job, fortunately.
Honestly, I could not tell at the time what kind of SUV they were riding in. It looked fairly new, but it was knocked upside down and a good 30 feet down the railroad tracks. I happened to come on the scene right after the rescue squad got there.
They had already gotten the baby seat out of the car, but no one else was out. Firemen were working along with rescue personnel to get them freed from the vehicle. I don’t know how long it was until the baby, maybe a three year old, came out with maybe what appeared to be a minor scratch on the face. Then came the brother, maybe a five or six year old, looking very much like all was well. Finally the mother came out, trying to walk, maybe sore from the wreck, maybe overcome with emotion, but needing some help to walk.
It was a miracle that they all survived. I know they are emotionally scarred from the event, but it looked as if their bodies came through without significant damage. I praise God.
When I pick up the N&O sports section, articles are starting to pepper the paper on the upcoming college sports seasons. I saw Carolina’s ad hawking football tickets over the weekend.
The Panthers are in training camp. An article in one of the weekend papers spoke with excitement about the improvement in my beloved Cowboys’ defense. Even without Bill Parcells, there’s excitement in Big D.
I met a couple from Texas Friday night. Understand that Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemmens are from Texas, and Kevin Durant played for the University of Texas and went number two in the NBA draft. They really do play other sports there, but they confirmed still for most of us from Texas will say there are only two sports there: football and spring football. Maybe they are a little fanatical, but it’s not that different in North Carolina.
I interviewed a football coach Monday, and while we were talking his cell phone went off. It played the Notre Dame Fight Song as the ring tone. I think Coach Williamson is ready.
Monday morning cheerleaders were beginning practice. They’re getting ready to turn heads and stir the spirit on Friday nights. They’re eager for the season to get underway.
Monday night football players across the state were putting on some tattered practice jerseys salvaged from seasons past; beginning the work on the blocking formations and running the passing routes. They’re full of energy and optimism.
My daughter, Kelly, was taking photos of the young guys on the first night of football practice. She was impressed with how many were eager to get their photos in the newspaper. They’re proud to say they are out there.
There is something different about football. No offense, but there are reasons that they build stadiums for football. There is something very appealing to the male population when it comes to football. It takes a lot of hard work and determination by a lot of young men to put a football team out on the field. [And, yes, occasionally, young women.]
Most schools are blessed with some fine athletes, but to get twenty-two young men out there executing the game plan, putting in the extra effort to win the battle in the trenches takes something extra. Sometimes you are not going to be the biggest and the strongest. It can very much be a battle of wills.
And they put on helmets. Their hats are distinctive. It carries the school logo. It’s a sign of school pride. You represent not only those in the hallways of your school, but the ones who went before you. There are parents, and in some cases grandparents, who strapped on the helmet before you. It’s the sign you are a football player, ready to go out onto the field and do battle.
And right now they are all winners.
The victories are hollow if they are not won on the field of battle. Yes, there is some consolation in playing a good team well, even if you don’t claim the “W”, but there is no substitute.
I watched some fathers watching their sons from a distance.
To be sure, once they start playing for real, teams will have to lose, but right now, it is great to see the energy, the enthusiasm, and the optimism.
Are you ready for some football? I am!
It was one of those times that you’re sick on your stomach. You’re filled with dread about what you know will come.
Fortunately, I got concerned about doing my job, getting in the right place to get the pictures and getting out of the way of those who were doing their jobs. The emotions of the moment gave way to the duties of the job, fortunately.
Honestly, I could not tell at the time what kind of SUV they were riding in. It looked fairly new, but it was knocked upside down and a good 30 feet down the railroad tracks. I happened to come on the scene right after the rescue squad got there.
They had already gotten the baby seat out of the car, but no one else was out. Firemen were working along with rescue personnel to get them freed from the vehicle. I don’t know how long it was until the baby, maybe a three year old, came out with maybe what appeared to be a minor scratch on the face. Then came the brother, maybe a five or six year old, looking very much like all was well. Finally the mother came out, trying to walk, maybe sore from the wreck, maybe overcome with emotion, but needing some help to walk.
It was a miracle that they all survived. I know they are emotionally scarred from the event, but it looked as if their bodies came through without significant damage. I praise God.
posted by Barry | 6:06 PM
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