I would not call myself a sports "fan", as in fanatic, but I always have been a sports enjoyer. One of my fondest tv memories is watching "Wide World of Sports" with my dad. That, the Olympics, an occasional World Series or Super Bowl and every once in a while some ice skating and gymnastics thrown in are my usual sports exposure.
But, I have recently been exposed to a whole 'nother world...high school football.
Sitting high in the stands on a beautiful Thursday afternoon, I took a look around. I saw a hawk circling above the stadium, airplanes coming in on approach, white lines and green grass, parents steadily streaming into the stands, younger people helping older people climb the bleachers, kids trying to hold a coke and nachos and pizza and climb the bleachers, cheerleaders trying to stay in precision while never breaking a smile, and my very tall kid in his bleached (almost) white pants standing on the sidelines.
I have found that I really enjoy these games. As long as I can stay out of the "ugly box" (this is my name for the group of parents watching the game for whom high school football is a religion) I find the game to be rather uplifting. All those people together in cheering on the team makes for a great vibe. Most of the spectators are very encouraging to the players and the team is good enough to make for some exciting play.
I'm glad my kid decided to get involved. The whole "Friday Night Lights" thing is something I did not participate in in high school. I'm glad to have the chance to experience it now. So, go check out your local high school team. L-E-T-S-G-O Let's go Let's go L-E-T-S-G-O uh Let's GO!
