Grant is five practices into spring football. The schedule is to practice Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, then have film and team meetings Wednesday, Friday, and Monday. Both practices and meetings start at 4:30 pm Eastern. So imagine my surprise when I am wrapping up work today at 5:15 pm, and I get this message fromContinue reading “Random Texts on Good Friday”
Tag Archives: Football
We Are a House Divided
I’m sure most of you read these posts and think, Well, if that’s the worst of it for them, things must be pretty awesome. But of course, no one tells the truth on social media, and the oldest true crime trope is, They were so normal and nice! Who could have guessed they would allContinue reading “We Are a House Divided”
Days of Rage and Redemption
Yesterday was a day of rage and redemption. Across the land, the country was divided—howls of lamentation on the one hand; jeers, cheers, and joy on the other. And then, a level of symmetric justice was dealt, and balance was restored in the universe. Of course, I am not speaking of the Iowa caucuses norContinue reading “Days of Rage and Redemption”
I Am No Micah Parsons
This past Sunday evening, the Dallas Cowboys played the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys wrecked the Eagles, 33-13, much to the shared joy of Grant and me. The most stunning play of the game, to me anyway, happened in the first half. Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ dynamo linebacker/defensive end hybrid, lined upContinue reading “I Am No Micah Parsons”
Write This on Your Heart
The young man has his mission call—he will enter the missionary training center on October 27. He cannot return to school, so he is working at Pizza Hut and hanging around the house. His brother is a senior and is playing defensive tackle for the same head coach he had graduated under, Coach JH. CoachContinue reading “Write This on Your Heart”
Battle Flag
It rained the last two days, and the players are all standing around in shorts and shirts, their helmets on the ground. They’re all fifteen minutes early for practice. Their first game is Saturday, and today is walkthrough. Their tall, thin, black corner, KP, is standing with the young man and with Ted. “Yo, weContinue reading “Battle Flag”
Real Gangstas Don’t Flex Nuts
They are jv district champions, having curb-stomped Victoria 35-14 in the final game of the regular season. The young man played tight end in their wing T offense and safety in their 4-4 defense. He had a dozen tackles, a game full of blocking, and a punt return for a touchdown. To celebrate, Terry, Ted,Continue reading “Real Gangstas Don’t Flex Nuts”
Kickoff Return
The young man plays tight end on offense and goes with the linemen during offense. They are in position groups, but drills haven’t started. Coach Bubba Arledge is leaning on the sled nearby and sees Sean, Roger, and the young man together. Arledge was an all-state guard on a state championship team. “How you doing,Continue reading “Kickoff Return”
You’re Easy
Coach Slaughter left for Lufkin after the young man’s freshman year. He was replaced by Gary Davenport who was making the jump from 3A to 5A and who brought with him the old school wing-T offense. His hiring had been opposed by major boosters, and the players had all voted to have Coach Powers, Slaughter’sContinue reading “You’re Easy”
Most Teams Celebrate When They Win
The man’s oldest son started football for Silver Lake when he was ten. They went 0-8 that year. That same group of kids has never won a varsity game since mighty mites. The man and his friend are the new the Silver Lake seventh and eighth grade coaches this season. They have dumped the oldContinue reading “Most Teams Celebrate When They Win”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 