Boys to Men

I love football. I can't wait for fall weekends filled with all sorts of gridiron games to attend and watch. If my beloved Detroit Lions are on, I've got a TV on or a radio in my ear. I've followed them forever, so no comments about them being losers and all that - just you wait, someday we WILL win the Super Bowl! (Ok, I got a little dizzy on that one - gimme a sec...)
Ok, I'm back. My household is also a big Maize and Blue cheering section. Being from the east side of Michigan, we have a better understanding of what a historically superior football program really looks like, even if there are a few lean years in between. No worries, Wolverine Nation - the ship will be righted and all will return to the normalcy we've collectively known since that first snap was taken way back in 1879. Check these gaudy numbers: an overall record of 877-302-36 (.737); 29,998 points scored versus only 13,109 points from ALL of our opponents COMBINED; 11 national championships; 42 conference championships; and according to John Phillips Sousa we have "the greatest college fight song ever written". (Ok - I'm done - relax everybody).


But... high school football is where it's at! I had the privilege of watching my son Marcus play at everyone home football game with Grand Blanc's award winning marching band (and weekly competitions, including 4 straight years at the Silverdome/Ford Field for State Championships). Michelle and I were so very proud of our oldest son and we never missed a game if we could help it. By extension, I got to watch a lot of high school football during this time and got to like it quite a bit. The only problem for me was that as I was cheering on the Bobcats, there was nobody on the field that I had any real connection to. Just a bunch of guys that just happened to go to the same school that my sons went to. I would cheer along with everyone else, but there was a serious disconnection between myself and the team. This was not my alma mater and those were not my kids. I really didn't care about the wins and losses, because I wasn't emotionally involved with high school football.
That is, until this year. Our youngest, Nick, decided that he would try out for football with his current school, Greenville High. As a senior and having never played on a team before, I didn't hold out much hope for his making the team, let alone ever seeing the field. But Nick worked his rear-end off all summer long, working out daily and attending every football-related voluntary training available. He made the varsity team. Of the eight games they've played so far, he's been on the field in six of them. With one more game to go and the playoffs following right after that, Nick has made watching football a personal thing with me. I am now connected again and I am loving it! You should have been at Black Field on Friday - so loud, so frantic, all culminating in an exciting overtime touchdown run to seal the victory for the Yellow Jackets and run their record to 7-1. My new tricked-out cowbell (thanks, Gordon!) is the loudest thing ever and I intend to continue to annoy opposing offenses until my hand falls off! 


Is there any real significance to any of this? Or is it just a father's joy at experiencing his sons' exploits on those fields? Maybe it's a little of both. Each time one of the boys has taken the field, whether dressed in shoulder pads or carrying a trumpet, I have been proud that they were mine. To know that these two young men carry the same nickname amongst their peers (Coop!) is a personal joy for me and I love to hear it called out. I have never tried to live vicariously through their experiences - I simply wanted to stand back and watch them shine. And I've never been disappointed while watching them perform. Every minute has been a blast and I will miss those moments when they are gone. Even though I've recorded nearly every second of Marcus' shows and Nick's games, the live experience is something that just can't be duplicated. Thanks guys -   it's been a great ride these past six years. I can't wait to see what's yet to come.


I wonder if God looks at us the same way, as a proud Father watching his children do the things that we do. Does He smile too, when we perform at our best or try really hard? I'd like to think that He does, always wanting the best for us and cheering us from the sidelines. It's comforting to know that He really does love us. It makes me want to be a better dad, to be more supportive, to always BE THERE for my guys, just like God is always there for us. God gives us the perfect example to follow and you can't go wrong following His lead. 


So, one more regular season game to go. C'mon Jackets - stomp those pesky boys from Lowell this Friday and let's bring on the playoffs! I'll be the crazy guy in the stands with the cowbell. Yeah, I AM that guy!