Football

For long periods at a time, unlike the diligent 1HW, I do not blog. He views it as a discipline, a daily writing task which he enjoys. I should really do better! After all, I frequently see all kinds of things which should inspire me to write! So I am determined to follow his example and do better! Thus, the following blog, which may seem totally out of character.

I just love college football! Part of this may be due to to my father's playing football for Heidelberg College in Ohio, where he was named to the "Little All-American College Football Team" in the late 1930's. As a result, he was recruited for Ohio State, where he then played football. The pictures of him in the leather helmet are absolutely priceless! He was a noseguard, as I recall. So the idea of watching football came quite naturally to me in our household.

I can remember when we spent a Thanksgiving in Columbus Ohio, back around 1949 or 1950, when there was a HUGE snowstorm. Mom and Dad had planned to attend the famous OSU-MU rivalry, and there was a question about whether the game would take place because the snow was so heavy. A question about the game continuing? OSU v. MU? Without a question, the game went on, even thought thefans (and probably the players) could not see the field. Never mind... everyone enjoyed it! Not too long after that, I can remember sitting on the sidelines beside the players' bench, watching West Point football, when my dad taught there.
So, it was rather anticlimactic to watch the University of NM play football, even though it was during some of the best of their season when I attended there in the early 1960's.

However, in the fall of 1970, my football fantasy returned! I vividly remember sitting on the 35 yard line, 10 rows up in the student section, watching Oklahoma University return to its national prowess under Chuck Fairbanks and then Barry Switzer! Oh, what a thrill to have been in those stands when Oklahoma beat Nebraska to win the national title that year!! We yelled, we cheered, we sang "Boomer, Sooner," and I loved it! Nothing can compare to the thrill of being part of such a huge crowd urging a champion on! Who would have ever guessed that in 2003 I would begin to cheer the Nebraska Huskers on? Wherever you are, then that is where you cheer! And that is why for the past several years we have also cheered Texas on!

Then comes the hard part for me: Who do I cheer for when they play each other? That remains as a challenge! I guess I am just happy for any of the successful teams when they win, but I always seem to rank Oklahoma as first, Nebraska as second, and Texas as third. And, of course, Ohio State is ALWAYS in there because of my dad. And, I can still sing the Ohio State fight song!

I hope some of you feel happy cheering for your teams, too. It is such fun to see these talented young men play on the field, as well as to know that they are also completing an education. Now, if the funding would just be there for the music and history students, as well......