I watched the most exciting
football game last night. There were lights, fireworks, a tunnel for the
players to run out of and through fog while their names were announced, the
field was spray painted in color with logos and words, there was a trophy and
medals and music played loud. The score was tied several times throughout the
game and the underdogs came through to win the game by one after completing a
two-point conversion in overtime!
I cheered loud, my heart was
in my stomach a few times, but in the end my son’s flag football team beat an
undefeated team they had lost to twice this season to win the city-wide Park n
Rec bowl game.
The temperature was mild but
after a day of light rain it misted through most of the game. My son is in 4th
grade and I found myself, more than once, during the game picturing the future.
Is this what it will be like if he plays high school football? Do I hope he
plays high school football? Honestly, not really, if flag football was a
varsity sport I’d be all for it, but the danger of concussions down right
terrify me. In baseball and soccer (his other sports of choice) there are
dangers of dislocated or broken bones, but bones heal, brain injuries are
permanent.
Being a University of Alabama
alum I have watched and cheered on many college football players who make it
into the NFL, but in the end when their football career is over I often wonder
if their college education has prepared them for life after football. My mom
gene also causes me to worry about the guys who choose the NFL draft over
completing their degree.
Speculation, analyzing and
negativism aside I am so proud of my son’s team for working together and giving
their families and friends a great night of Monday Night Football!
It's a different world out there these days. He's still learning a team sport and all that goes with it without the violence...too bad grown men can't chose to do this.
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