The Great Kicker Quandary

Kickers kick, that's what they do. That's all they do. Game after game, practice after practice, NFL kickers kick the football. I understand that specialized shoes have been created and refined to help kickers specialize in their sport. BUT FOR CRIPE SAKES, CAN'T THEY GIVE THOSE POOR SAPS A SECOND SHOE THAT MATCHES THE FIRST TO DO THEIR JOB?!

Turkey Bowl and the Real Turkies

I participated in my first-ever Turkey Bowl Football event this last weekend. WOW! What a lot of fun. It was a great reminder of how much I miss being outdoors, running around in the name of senseless horseplay.

Life is so uncomplicated when you shut out all the other noise in your life and have nothing to do but keep your eye on the ball.

It's even better when you're out there sharing that experience with friends. We were all part of a joint delusion that we were all 12 years old again, drawing plays on our hands, plotting against our foes and full of boundless energy.

Of course, a quick look at the taped ankles, the snug-fitting flags, the folded over masses trying to catch their breath or watching any one of us waddling for a touchdown was enough to assure everybody that none of us was even close 12. But, if even only for a few flashes of greatness, it was worth...well...all of our weight in gold.

Afterwards, like a group of warriors--home from a successful battle, we all nodded our heads at one another with a satisfied grin--at least until we could catch our breath enough to talk about it.
The point becomes, it was an experience that we all shared together. A group dillusion. A simple, focused time together. A time that was balanced in its glory and embarassment. A reminder of what friendship is and how simple it can be.

I'll name each one of my muscle aches after one of you. I think there's enough to go around--at least twice. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!