With the start of Texas high school football practice this week we bring you some thoughts on the game in the state as well as some cheerleading facts you might not know. I can't believe JDaddy didn't work in Lyla Garrity somewhere.
The Charm of Texas High School Football
By CDog
I only played one year of competitive football. It was the fall of 1991, I was in the seventh grade and I barely weighed in at 100 pounds. It's not hard to see why I only played one year of competitive football. I didn't like to hit or get hit.
I played receiver and cornerback. In one practice a sweep came my way and I had the unfortunate experience of being in the fullback's way. I was launched 5 yards, the coaches unsuccessfully tried to hold in chuckles, and I realized that this Texas high school football future was not going to pan out (but I was the only receiver that year on the B-team to catch a pass. So there).
But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy Texas high school football. The funny thing is that I don't even go to many games, but I still look forward to the start of practice.
Maybe it's because after a summer of endless stories about collective bargaining agreements it's good to know that all over the state there are overweight men with whistles that aren't having to count the number of padded practices each week. They are just interested in getting their players ready for the first game in September.
I don't buy the idea that you have to watch amateur sports to see players who play hard. I think that most professional players give everything they have every day. Yeah, it's a job, and yeah, they make very good money. But those guys know that if they don't give all they have to their sport then someone else will come along and take their spot (and subsequently, their money).
However, that doesn't mean that you can't sit back and enjoy the youthfulness of high school football. While I wouldn't call it the "innocence" of high school football, mainly because that's a little dramatic (not to mention untrue...do you remember anything all that innocent about high school?), it is intriguing to think about the game's affect on the people involved.
Every high school football player wants to be the star of the team. I think it's different in baseball and basketball, where some kids know that they are role players. But every high school football player wants to be Landry Clarke, the player who comes out of nowhere to kick the game winning field goal or catch the game winning pass. Every player dreams of that moment where everyone in the stands watches them be the star. And now, with the continuous growth of Texas high school football, replays are shown on tv all weekend long. And they get seen on the Internet forever. Who wouldn't want that?
Every kid from the star to the last benchwarmer wants that moment. That's why they put up with practice in 108 degree heat. It's why they lift all those weights. They think with enough work that they will have all eyes upon them. It's not the fame that people receive by making stupid youtube videos. Football players put in the effort to receive the fame that is meaningful (at least in the mind of a 17-year old).
And that's what attracts us to high school football. When you combine the attitude of the players with the warrior mentality that all of us are wired to be attracted to you get a perfect combination. Throw in the beat of the drums in the marching band that drift to your ears as you walk up to the stadium, and it's hard not to stop some adrenaline from flowing.
I live right across the street from a high school football field. It's even the home of a good team. Now that Eli is old enough to enjoy it we may start going to some games. I won't know the players and Eli probably will never go to school there, but I'm sure I'll get wrapped up into the game and excited when things go well for the home team. I just don't want to stand in the way of the fullback.
I played receiver and cornerback. In one practice a sweep came my way and I had the unfortunate experience of being in the fullback's way. I was launched 5 yards, the coaches unsuccessfully tried to hold in chuckles, and I realized that this Texas high school football future was not going to pan out (but I was the only receiver that year on the B-team to catch a pass. So there).
But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy Texas high school football. The funny thing is that I don't even go to many games, but I still look forward to the start of practice.
Maybe it's because after a summer of endless stories about collective bargaining agreements it's good to know that all over the state there are overweight men with whistles that aren't having to count the number of padded practices each week. They are just interested in getting their players ready for the first game in September.
I don't buy the idea that you have to watch amateur sports to see players who play hard. I think that most professional players give everything they have every day. Yeah, it's a job, and yeah, they make very good money. But those guys know that if they don't give all they have to their sport then someone else will come along and take their spot (and subsequently, their money).
However, that doesn't mean that you can't sit back and enjoy the youthfulness of high school football. While I wouldn't call it the "innocence" of high school football, mainly because that's a little dramatic (not to mention untrue...do you remember anything all that innocent about high school?), it is intriguing to think about the game's affect on the people involved.
Every high school football player wants to be the star of the team. I think it's different in baseball and basketball, where some kids know that they are role players. But every high school football player wants to be Landry Clarke, the player who comes out of nowhere to kick the game winning field goal or catch the game winning pass. Every player dreams of that moment where everyone in the stands watches them be the star. And now, with the continuous growth of Texas high school football, replays are shown on tv all weekend long. And they get seen on the Internet forever. Who wouldn't want that?
Every kid from the star to the last benchwarmer wants that moment. That's why they put up with practice in 108 degree heat. It's why they lift all those weights. They think with enough work that they will have all eyes upon them. It's not the fame that people receive by making stupid youtube videos. Football players put in the effort to receive the fame that is meaningful (at least in the mind of a 17-year old).
And that's what attracts us to high school football. When you combine the attitude of the players with the warrior mentality that all of us are wired to be attracted to you get a perfect combination. Throw in the beat of the drums in the marching band that drift to your ears as you walk up to the stadium, and it's hard not to stop some adrenaline from flowing.
I live right across the street from a high school football field. It's even the home of a good team. Now that Eli is old enough to enjoy it we may start going to some games. I won't know the players and Eli probably will never go to school there, but I'm sure I'll get wrapped up into the game and excited when things go well for the home team. I just don't want to stand in the way of the fullback.
Top 5 NFL Cheerleading Facts You May Not Know
By JDaddy
Number 5
Phyllis Smith (The Office) was once a St. Louis (NFL) Cardinals Cheerleader
Number 4
The Baltimore Colts of 1954 had the first "team" cheerleaders. They were part of the
"Baltimore Colts Marching Band"
Number 3
From 2006-2008 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders had a member named "Starr Spangler"
Number 2
In 1979 the movie "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders" premiered.
One of the co-stars was Bucky "#$%$#$%" Dent.
Number 1
The 2011 Super Bowl between the Packers and the Steelers, was the first Super Bowl in which neither team had their own cheerleading squads. (Green Bay uses college cheerleaders at home and the Steelerettes were disbanded in 1970)
Bonus............ Gratuitous Photo
"God Bless Sports Illustrated"
And "God Bless America"
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