I bought a piece of history today -- and I've felt more ambivalent about it. I've bought souvenirs before and many of then have found their way into boxes in the garage or buckets to take to Goodwill. I've even owned some pretty special pieces of memorabilia. I actually own a football autographed by the great Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith. But nothing like this.
I bought a navy blue game jersey worn by a Ferguson Titan football player in the final football season for Ferguson Junior High School. Number 74 -- extra large.
The boys' jerseys are being sold because they are no longer needed for future football teams and the funds will be used to help provide extra funding for student activities this year. It's a great idea (I've even advocated for its acceptance.) and I'm glad it was approved.
Coach Cole asked me, "Why #74?"
Let me tell you why this jersey is special. First of all, it is special because it represents the school that has been my home for almost 10 years. It will likely hang in whatever classroom I end up in next year -- at least for a while. Then, it will be retired along with my high school band letterman's sweater.
Which brings me to the second reason the jersey is special. I never got to play football, but I've always to play. I dressed out in a full uniform to make a short training video last year -- pants, pads, jersey, helmet. The whole deal. I lined up to kick a field goal to make a point about the importance of good planning and goal setting.
Finally, #74 is the number worn by my all-time Dallas Cowboys hero -- the great Bob Lilly. As he would probably say, "Nuff said."
I can't begin to imagine how the coaches at Ferguson feel as they complete the football season and pack all the equipment away for storage. They'll do it again when basketball season is over. They'll do it one last time when track season ends. I do know this: coaches are a pretty emotional group of people -- especially when no one is looking. That also makes the jersey a little bit special.
I hope my fellow faculty members will also buy a jersey. At $25 the price is right. It's also for a good cause. More than that, it will do their hearts good to own a little piece of history. Our history.
I bought a navy blue game jersey worn by a Ferguson Titan football player in the final football season for Ferguson Junior High School. Number 74 -- extra large.
The boys' jerseys are being sold because they are no longer needed for future football teams and the funds will be used to help provide extra funding for student activities this year. It's a great idea (I've even advocated for its acceptance.) and I'm glad it was approved.
Coach Cole asked me, "Why #74?"
Let me tell you why this jersey is special. First of all, it is special because it represents the school that has been my home for almost 10 years. It will likely hang in whatever classroom I end up in next year -- at least for a while. Then, it will be retired along with my high school band letterman's sweater.
Which brings me to the second reason the jersey is special. I never got to play football, but I've always to play. I dressed out in a full uniform to make a short training video last year -- pants, pads, jersey, helmet. The whole deal. I lined up to kick a field goal to make a point about the importance of good planning and goal setting.
Finally, #74 is the number worn by my all-time Dallas Cowboys hero -- the great Bob Lilly. As he would probably say, "Nuff said."
I can't begin to imagine how the coaches at Ferguson feel as they complete the football season and pack all the equipment away for storage. They'll do it again when basketball season is over. They'll do it one last time when track season ends. I do know this: coaches are a pretty emotional group of people -- especially when no one is looking. That also makes the jersey a little bit special.
I hope my fellow faculty members will also buy a jersey. At $25 the price is right. It's also for a good cause. More than that, it will do their hearts good to own a little piece of history. Our history.