Friday, March 29, 2024

Sideline surprises

Posted

A CLOSER LOOK

I was trying to remember the last time I roamed the sidelines of a college football game.

And the answer occurred to me:

Never.

Only among the ticketholders in the clouds, never down on the field of battle.

But I get the chance tonight, in Denton’s oddly-shaped Apogee Stadium, to hear grunts and thwacks and see amazing athletes up close when the University of North Texas entertains Abilene Christian University in the 2019 season opener.

I’m scheduled to be my son’s “assistant” while he shoots for ACU.

The roles will be reversed. He was my assistant back in the day shooting Granbury Pirate and Tolar Rattler football.

Karan had a suggestion for her son this week in anticipation of titans flying out of bounds.

“When you were young Dad would pull you out of the way,” she said. “Now you need to do the same for Dad – and remember – he doesn’t move like he used to!”

Ha-ha. Very funny.

I just hope I don’t repeat a move from one of our sportswriters years ago.

He was a happy-go-lucky guy who, as a sports writer, was definitely a “homer” and proud of it.

That year Granbury had a top running back with great speed. During one game he broke loose and started racing down the Pirate sidelines.

The writer seized the opportunity to enter the frenzy. He began running every step of the way until ... whack!!!!! ... he bowled over a poor cheerleader. She went down, but the writer kinda somersaulted and bounced straight up to enjoy the touchdown celebration.

The man didn’t appear fazed. He looked the same, except for clumps of dead brown grass clinging to the back of his argyle sweater.

It sounds like I’m picking on him, but he was a nice guy. Interesting, but nice.

Interesting like another time he wanted some halftime refreshments. The line was long at the home side concession stand so he decided to go on the other side because it was less crowded.

Seemed sensible.

The band was already marching when the writer stepped onto the field, way too close to the band.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

The man continued walking, straight to the opposite side but only feet away from the marching band in full routine.

Did I dream it?

No, because the next day on local television the replay of the halftime show revealed a man entering the bottom corner of the screen and slowly, slowly, slowly walking to the top and out of sight.

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