Football is all the emotions. It’s what makes the game so great. On Friday, it ripped the heart out of kids and communities. It buoyed others, providing a sense of togetherness. Some saw dreams come to an end; others might just be beginning.
One night — Halloween night, 2014 — will not define anyone who participated in a playoff football game on this evening. Not a kicker who had an important kick blocked or one that was the hero at the end of the game.
It won’t define a running back who put his pads on for the last time and carried all his buddies with him for a season. It won’t define a two-way star who battled injury after injury yet still gave his all for the good of the cause. No, football won’t do any of that.
Its more than just a game. You must have experienced it first had to understand. #family
— Jonah Otte (@JonahOtte) November 1, 2014
In the same breath, the greatness won’t define anyone either. Not the four touchdown game, or the big pass play that broke the game open. Not the great defense that led to a playoff shutout.
None of those things will define the boys that played football on Friday night. What might shape them, however, mold them into good citizens is the journey that started in August. The one that turned into sweat and victories in September and October.
The journey, you see, will end somewhere. It has to be that way. And, for some, yes, it will end with a win. But, even that win won’t define the players who achieved it. What they learned on that journey will. And, it will carry them for years. Not 10, not 20, not 30 years. More than that.
That journey might include the bus ride:
Turnin up to this Nike Music on the bus
— DJ (@DaishonNeal90) October 31, 2014
Or, a blazing show on a return trip to Lincoln:
It's been the @conoryoung23 show in the 1st half for @CozadSchools who lead Ft. Calhoun 41-6. Young has 310 all-purp yds & 5 TD's #nebpreps
— Derek Noehren (@Derek_Noehren) November 1, 2014
Whatever it is, it teaches life. It’s a story worth sharing. So, jump on even if you don’t get the privilege to play anymore. Take your buddies to one more playoff game. Soak in a Friday night and the community it brings out. Tell your coach thanks. If you’re a mom or a dad, hug your son — he won’t mind — even if he won to tell him how much you enjoy watching him play football.
Theme: FAMILY
Quote: “You are never alone. You will always be connected with everyone on this team.”
― Amit Ray pic.twitter.com/fChu88SFfr— York Duke Football (@YorkDukeFB) October 30, 2014
And, if he lost. Well, hug him one more time and know that in 10 years, when he’s back for Christmas with his family you’ll still talk about 2014 and how much fun it was for him to play football.
Let’s Rewind
Top-ranked Vikings roll | Journal-Star
Turnovers key Kearney win over Norfolk
Eagles, Sanders grind out win over East |
Papio-South pulls away from BW
Mustangs dispatch Bellevue East
Finally healthy, Wildcats romp Westside
Islanders use turnovers, defense; top Columbus
Pospisil: Antlers, Orangemen survive Elkhorn doubleheader
Dragons hold off Pius X; rematch with Elkhorn
Blair holds off Crete; wins seventh straight
Seward powers past Sidney; Skutt next
Scottsbluff beat Aurora; earns long trip to Beatrice
Young helps Makers blast Ft. Calhoun
Norfolk Catholic blasts Falls City; earn BC rematch
GICC overcomes six turnovers; tops W-C in OT
KC survives Boys Town in overtime
Defense carries Aquinas past Gibbon
O-C uses passing game to beat Fillmore Central
Top-ranked Battle Creek rolls in second half
