Today was a bit of a treat. Michelle signed BG and CM up for 9th and 8th grade football, respectively. She took them shopping and we spent a ton of money on cleats, socks, clothes and fees. Then we went to the storage shed where they had shoulder pads, pants and helmets. All grey and orange with Skyridge emblazoned in key locations.
BG is one of nine kids who are on the team and, as of yet, have never played before. He looked the part quite honestly. I skulked behind the batting cages and watched as he asked his friends what was going on and how to do the next drill. I even took a picture or too. He surprises me, because he really wants to try this football thing out. It doesn't come naturally to him, but I think if he works hard at it, he'll do well. Most of the boys have been playing since 5th grade together. They have even been lifting weights all summer and spent a week at Snow College in a mini camp. BG was fairly lost.
CM on the other hand had day one of a three try out session. It was like a mini NFL combine. They measured and weighed the boys, had them run sprints and shuttle drills. They went one on one and caught passes on short running routes. Mackay is a big strong young man. He will be a very big, strong man someday. Today, he got gassed running shuttle drills. I went over to check on him while he sat in the equipment pile by himself. "What's up?" I asked. "I couldn't breathe so the coach sent me over here." he said. "Stop being a puss and get back in there. Don't take another break until your whole group does." I replied. He did just that the rest of the day. Not what he was wanting to hear; but it was what he needed to hear.
Mackay did not want to be there. He had great anxiety. Not near as much as his mother, though he was worried and self-conscious. His mother was almost in tears while watching from a folding chair on the sideline. She also almost caused a turnip to bleed blood, she was squeezing it so hard. I'm afraid that one day, some kid will actually nail CM on the gridiron and she is going to run out on the field and rip the kids still beating heart out of his chest and hold it triumphantly in her fist held skyward with great vengeance while the kid bleeds to death under her mighty foot of retribution. Hopefully Mackay will be alright.
DT was there too. I know because as he watched all of the kids run their drills, he would critique them. "He's going to be fast, you can tell because of how he lines up." "That kid is quick, but not high end speed quick. Just off the blocks." "He moves well laterally but is slow in a straight line." And the final conclusion, "I'll bet you I'm faster than every single 8th grader out here Dad." Said matter-of-factly, with a straight and quite sincere face. We even went to the end of the field and I timed him as he ran wind sprints for fun until he couldn't breathe any more.
Today was a good day. Those are some amazing boys and I'm proud of them for trying something that is well outside of their comfort zone. It went well, and it was a great first day.
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