As a 10 year old girl I bought a .39 comic book at 7-11 about Tom Landry, legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys. I was intrigued by his passion for football and for the turnaround in his life he attributed to a reorganization of his priorities ("I am Third"). God, Family, Football! I finished reading that comic and wanted two things... I wanted my life to be like that, and I was a Cowboys fan.
Living in California in the 70's w/ only 4 channels meant watching a Cowboys game was quite difficult. But, if it was game day I was ready, even if I could not actually see the game. I was the only girl I knew who liked football, and I was the only girl I knew who would warm up for watching a football game she could not even see. (Actually the only person I knew)
We lived near a college and I would go up to the field w/ my tee and ball and kick field goals over the soccer goal... (game winning field goals by the way).
I would do the Howard Cosell commentary out loud and it went something like this....
"Snap is clean.... Great hold... kick is up... IT'S GOOD!!!!" Mobs of people would rush the field and carry me home on their shoulders. Returning to reality was a bumpy ride because while I felt like a hero returning from battle, my family was not exactly the waiting throng of autograph seekers I wanted in my family room. It was never a good idea to startle me as a child because I was usually deep in private conversation w/ myself or accomplishing something spectacular in my head. (Yes, I've had therapy... good to go!)
I wanted to play on a real football team, but my dad never allowed it because he did not want boys landing on top of me. It was probably the wisest parenting decision he ever made, and as a parent of daughters I now completely support him. However, at the time I was steaming mad and incredulous because I was quite a kicker and linebacker! I once found an old pair of shoulder pads at the thrift store. I would wear them in the house and hit the walls much to the chagrin of my poor mother who really wanted me to bake stuff. It's difficult to measure correctly when you have your game gear on you know? :)
1978 was a perfect Super Bowl for me as the Cowboys defeated the Broncos 27-10 and two defensive players shared the MVP trophy. I went to the field before and after that game... to warm up.... And to celebrate....me and the people in my head!
So.. it's Super Bowl week and it always makes me tingle a bit. I am the same age as the Super Bowl... so I don't have to figure out all the XLIVVIXIII business..I just know this year it's #44.
The drama, stories, pageantry and energy. Bring on Manning and Brees, a game of redemption for the city of New Orleans. It's an awesome sports spectacle. I wonder if I still have my shoulder pads?
Posted by Kathy
Feb 06, 2010 @ 10:08 AM
Thanks for that somewhat scary (yet revealing) peek into your football loving past. As a die-hard Redskins fan growing up, I did not share your passion for the Cowboys but can appreciate the enthusiasm behind it. As for this year's Super Bowl, GO COLTS!
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