Guess Who Had the Cinderella Season??

 

It wasn’t Alabama! We all got it wrong. I mean the score and the performance. Where was Notre Dame? Did they show up?

Correct me if I’m wrong, and this can be debated till the goal posts come down, but when you win a coin toss, dad-burn it, keep the ball! You don’t give it up that easily. Yes, I know there is theory behind it, but when you haven’t been to the big ball in decades ya don’t just give it up like that.

 I listened to Brian Kelly’s 40-second interview on the field right before the kick-off and knew it was going to be bad for the Irish. You don’t ever want to show signs of weakness, much less speak about it to a reporter. The very exact same thing he told the reporter is the very exact same thing he didn’t want to happen. I cannot recall word for word what he said and will not quote when I cannot find the sound-bite, but it left a lot of doubt over air waves. It would have been better if it went something like this; we’ve got to control the ball early on and keep Alabama out of the red zone. Simple. But he didn’t say that, he left a lot of room to insert doubt. Something that should never happen anytime, anywhere.

 So the vibe of the game started out with two huge mistakes on the Irish. Face mask and offsides. Two very fundamental penalties that any high schooler knows not to do! Notre Dame had the jitters and it showed early on. I would have thought Kelly would have driven the point home this was just another game, we’re gonna make Alabama play our game and forget all the hype.

The fact remains that when you’ve been there and done that, like Alabama had, you certainly don’t need to show-up to the big ball with a weakness in your gut, you need to act like you’ve been there before. Even though you hadn’t. The nerves of the team really rest on Kelly’s shoulders. Lessons learned.

 I felt sorry for the poor ol boys in gold helmets. I really did. This was a butt kickin’ pure and simple. All the sportscasters thought maybe Alabama takes by 10. But this was nearly a wipe-out. I guess we all know who had the Cinderella Season. Still Notre Dame did put together an undefeated regular season and that by all accounts is purdy dang good for any college team these days! They will have no problem with signing the recruits they want and it sounds like they could be back to the big ball next year. Next year is a long way off. Sorta.

 Now, all you Alabama fans can Roll easy for another few months. The recruiting season should be a shoo-in for the Tide. What young fella with stars in his eyes would turn Nick Saban down? I bet there’s not many who don’t have pen in hand!

Invited to the Dance vs We Request the Honour of your presence at The Ball

How exciting if you were one who got to see your team play at the Dance! Wasn’t it great getting to be part of it all, watching your team tee-up with bowl bids and invitations? Now that most Bowl games have been played, maybe you were one whose team didn’t make it to the Dance and that’s on the 2013 plan. Either way, there is always next year. Little consolation, however true.

One little game coming up, oh excuse me—that’s that high flutin’ Big Society Ball-Bowl and not every sorority member  is on the invite list! No, that ball is quite special for the chosen few. Even so, it’s about to determine which powerhouse is back and which one had the Cinderella season. Now, that there ball-bowl will have college sports football fans talking for a while. Why, I’m sure of it! The favor of your replay is requested Monday evening January 7, 2013.

 

Make no mistake; Notre Dame will give Alabama a fight to the finish and vice versa. And, it will be one exciting game to watch. But, I can’t help but think of the storied traditions of both teams. One team has Bear blood running through their veins since the 1960’s. The other, Fighting Irish football dating back to the historical mid 1930’s & 40’s and one of footballs’ few, original D-IA college teams before D-I ever came to be. They are still not part of any conference, but boy howdy, those players must hear the ghosts of the four horsemen every time they enter their locker room!

Nonetheless, it wasn’t too long ago in the short distant past, that neither one of these teams was that good any more. Once known as champions every year, then a lull on the scoreboard, a dip in the rankings and everybody’s scratching heads, wondering what happened to their perspective traditional decades of winning streaks. Head coaching changes were ubiquitous. If one didn’t get the job done, the powers that be had their sights on another coach until the job did get done. And of course, let’s not forget the money. Winning programs make money and losing programs, well—lose money.

Then I think of all the fans, the families of those suiting-up, and the university alums. All those who are willing to pay big bucks and load-up in some form of transportation bound for Miami to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. This is it, folks! The Big Ball only comes around usually once in a lifetime, and at the end of the hundred yards there will be one standing Champion. And if your team happens to be THE TEAM then by all means celebrate with all your lil’ ol pea pickin’ heart! Word of advice, celebratin’ is a lot more fun when you can remember how and who you celebrated with!! Go easy on the alcohol.

Now, for those of you who went to the Dance it was all still good, right!? You had fun and celebrated and more importantly, you got to see your team fight to the finish. Some of the bowl games this year were purdy darn exciting. They had me out of my chair several times! Love a good game regardless of who is playing. Loved seeing those kids/players who come to play ball and leave celebrating for later after the game.

But going to the big Ball is unique in its own right. It’s the crème dela crème. The top dog. The premier of all of college football. And, it’s not given. It’s earned. So how does a head coach keep all this razz-a-ma-tazz in perspective for his players? Well, quite frankly some don’t. These two coaches Monday night, will.

You’ll see it on the field. Watch for attitude. Watch to see how the players come through the tunnel. I can usually nab-it fairly early on in a game as to who is prepared and who isn’t. Who is there for the fun of it all and who’s there for business with their heads in the game. Rest assured, these two head coaches, Saban and Kelly will have their players grounded and prepared with as much down-to-earth gravity and game-on brain power as possible. Still, these are kids and they do have a mind of their own. It’ll be interesting to watch the players and how they respond to their coaches when the fires blow to a blaze.

Now, I’m not really a kill joy, of course it’s all fun and hey, what a great experience for the players and their families. I’m just saying that if you look close, you can usually see the winner before the first kick-off.

Gone to the Dance or the Requested Honour of your presence at the Ball? It may be a big difference to many folks, but from one who’s been there and done that, any bowl invite is a privileged honor. Football reflects so much more than many scoreboards show. Each team has their own set of accomplishments from pee-wee on up through the ranks. Hope y’all had a GREAT football season, regardless! Here’s to next year.

How Seasoned is the Serious Season?

Now is the time when all good cooks should come to the aid of their college teams with Tailgating recipes that will make ya holler and shout for the ol alma mater as the Serious Season begins! You know—the one where the pecking order of college game stats and conference rankings collide like collard greens and pizza! Go ahead, pass the vinegar-pepper please.

The Serious Season is when tempers flare, pots boil over and steam simmers just below the surface. It’s the season when most college teams have run out of steam. But the programs who rise to the occasion are the ones who are the crème de la crème, and they, my friends, will find themselves in a bowl game, seasoned with pepper or not!     

Throughout the land of college football, serious fans salivate for that little, teeny weenie thing called, bowl games. Just the mere mention of the words set about tantalizing the taste buds of coaches, players and alums. So much so, it’s almost like dangling a chunk of chocolate in front of poor ole Santa Claus just before he hops in his sleigh on Christmas Eve. Knowing that even half of an ounce added to his weight and he’s grounded for the year! What would the kiddies do if he can’t take off?

 The college BCS system is much like Santa. The mystique of it all can confuse even the most avid football fan. Questions like, which conferences are really best at gaining bowl bids? Who’s in the top ten and will those stats matter when it comes to the bowl invites? Why do certain programs get bowl bids year after year, while others stay put? Who has the perfect season up to this point? Which two teams in the end will suit up, battle for the coveted title and capture the 2012 National Championship? Which team might put the Tabasco in the gumbo?

2012 has been an interesting year for college football. There have been ups n downs and close calls that kept fans, boosters and coaches on the edge of a BBQ pit! It’s been no picnic in the park for several programs scratching & clawing to defend last years title. In many instances, fans were rummaging through their kitchen drawers looking for knives and forks to stab the nearest pigskin, maybe even oil and matches ready to fire some head coaches on the spot. All the while, the scald on the fried chicken is cooling off at the tailgating party!  

So what’s a spectator to do to spice up the fizzled fan base and put a pinch of sizzle in the bleachers!? The one tried and true recipe for wins: 1. Act like you are winning, 2. Never let ‘em see ya sweat and 3. Serve up some almost famous food for tailgatin’. It’s a winner every time!

Here's our family’s favorite tailgating recipe.

Sausage Balls

Pop a few in your mouth before kick-off and you’ll be cheering your team on to victory all the way thru the 4^th quarter!

1 Tube of Hot Sausage

3 C. Bisquick Mix

2 C. Grated Sharp Cheese (Kraft works best & grate it the old fashion way, bagged cheese won’t melt or fuse as well to the sausage, trust me on this one!)

Throw all ingredients in a large bowl & let them get to room temperature before you start mixing by hand. Yep, by hand, spoonin’ or forkin’ will not get the job done! Form into 1 inch balls, place on cookie sheet and bake on 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until done and sizzley.

Note: if they are not hot enough for your taste buds, sprinkle a dash or two of Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning in the mix. Refrigerate, freeze or simply serve right out of the oven. They move well to the field and play without having to warm-up, unless that is, you did freeze them!

Keep your spirits high during this Season of Serious games, even if your team is losing like crazy and you are one of those rummaging through your kitchen! Remember, the pressure is as hot as it gets, and there is always next year—don’t jump off into the deep pit just yet. Enjoy the sport and savor every minute. College games are always fun no matter what. And, don’t forget the Sausage Balls or the smiles!

 

Two Minute Warning

In close college games, especially those for conference championships—have y’all ever witnessed coaching crews on the sidelines wringing their hands and barking out orders in total turmoil and chaotic confusion? Then, after the two-minute warning goes off, look out! All heck breaks loose?!

Well sure, of course, we all have. I’ve seen my fair share of coaches, even head coaches in tight games, who’ve acted more like a bunch of boys screamin’ and arguin’ over whose turn it is to ride the 4-wheeler! By contrast on other occasions, have you noticed how the winning coaches behave given those same tough situations? Rarely do they demonstrate demeanor with quacked-out emotions for all to see. Winning coaches usually remain calm as a cucumber even if their innards are churning so profusely they could produce butter!

Let’s say they hold it together, while sticking to their game plan making no excuses. They are well-disciplined and resolute in executing what they believe will win the game, not afraid to make adjustments as needed. Those coaches have a long fuse, they bond together without finger pointing, and they are steadfast in their goals.

Winning coaches have a knack of bringing players together as a team without the meow-meow alley cat fights. In other words, the leadership qualities at the helm and the behavior of the coaching staff transfer onto the teammates. The character of the head coach will either unite or divide not only coaching staffs, but his players as well.

I am reminded today that our country is much like a team. The two-minute warning is up and we are scrambling like a bunch of coaches who are losing their conference title. Finger pointing is at an all-time high, we’re in peril and not very well disciplined. Our head coach runs on a record of division, and therefore split his players in half, alienating the fans and boosters.

We took a quarterback who never played high school or college football, yet he was drafted to the pros without so much as a single stat questioned. He wasn’t vetted by the sportscasters because they were in awe of him. So, he slid onto the scout’s radar because he was so dog-gone likeable, but never played a down in the pros either, and now is appointed the head coach of America’s team.

He keeps running the same game plan, refusing to make adjustments and blames his previous predecessor—a coach from an Ivy League school who left his position as the most unpopular coach in decades, because he wasn’t afraid to make the hard decisions. Being the perfect scapegoat, naturally the current coaches’ losses are entirely the other guy’s fault. But, he is more popular than ever, and believes that’s good enough to keep his job as head coach. He refuses time and time again to listen to other ideas or opinions and never surveys the game plan laid out in the Constitution of the United States. He doesn’t have time to seek or meet those who are his greatest allies and refuses to take his briefings in person from his coaching staff, choosing instead to receive them electronically.

A time management guru, his golf game is extraordinary, thus saving his schedule for the more important matters of foreign affairs such as talk-show appearances. He can’t spare one ounce of his time trying to protect any ambassadors on any foreign soil and has, instead, run the ol’ quarterback sneak for the last several weeks. He’s gifted at outsourcing and believes strongly in delegating responsibilities, appointing Coaches Reid and Pelosi to run deceptive drills, ram through the defensive line, never knowing for sure what was in the drop back pass play until the healthcare touchdown went through the uprights!

Of course, he did this play action to protect all members on America’s teams. This action resulted in a hammering of players and divided America’s team even more.

The Two-Minute Warning is up!

 

The Intangible

In my previous post, I pointed out how the word intangible defies logic in football and how the same intangible spirit can spill into life’s adventures. That undeniably, deeply rooted, pure as the driven snow, emotionally packed triumphal spirit that cannot be demanded, duplicated, pleaded with or produced. Well, this article is a perfect example of just that. So let’s talk about that intangible thang!  I’m very interested to hear your own perspective on it too. So please, by all means if you are led, leave a note.

With all the negative smack-talk vying for our attention these days, blaring voices like—back-biting, demonizing-nastiness, fictional-division, left, right, who can get on top by malicious fabricated gossip—it’s no wonder that we all appear a jaded bunch. Why, that vacant of substance, careless-chitty-chatter sounds more like a heap of yelppin Chihuahas! So, imagine my delighted surprise when a sweet friend posted this article on my Facebook page. How refreshing! Reading about a varsity high school football player who thinks more of another teammate’s emotional feelings, than he did of his own? Running Back Michael Ferns illustrated an unselfish act of courage and conviction. And this kid is a star player.

I am reminded of the scripture; Isaiah 11:6  “…And a little child shall lead them.”

I again sobbed reading this story. What an amazing team and what an amazing coach! Folks, this is the purity of the game at its best. Granted, the teammates were encouraged to grant such a generosity, but that my football friends, goes to the character of Coach Brett McLean. We should all be so lucky to have our children under the tutelage of a leader like him. This team no doubt possesses the intangible.

When I think of the intangible, I ponder the true meaning of the word. For instance; God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are purdy-much intangible! You cannot see them, touch them or hear an audible voice, though I’m sure some of you, like myself, believed you had at one time or another. However, it really doesn’t get any more intangible than these three. Yet, our beliefs in them are at the very core of our souls. Indeed, how we live our lives depends a lot on how we view our intangible faith. Many of us are driven by the teachings in God’s word and do our best to live our lives according to those Christian principles.

Take for instance, NFL player Pat Tillman. Anybody remember him? He embodies the mere mention of the word intangible! He left a stellar NFL career, his wife, family and friends whom he was very close to, and joined our military after the 9-11 terrorist attack on American soil. Sadly, he died in Afghanistan April 22, 2004 giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Yet, no doubt he knew the dangers and still felt the irresistible need to leave a place of privilege to go and serve our country. Again, defies logic.

Many of you may have stories just waiting to be shared that include some intangible circumstances in your life. That unexplainable spirit of courage, generosity, conviction and selflessness—otherwise known as the intangible! The intangible lives within all of us. My prayer is that we would step-up and show a little more it, in the form of kindness to others each day.

Maybe we aren’t all Running Backs like Michael, but we all have a route to run in life. Run it with courage and conviction. And, just every so often, put the other guy first.

The Boys of Fall

I bawled like a blubbering baby when I first heard this song. What a gripping piece of music for all in the football nation. A dear friend of mine said she cried too, and doesn’t “know a hike from a hut!” I think you’d nearly have to be heart-dead without a pulse not to have some emotion shuffling through your core as the lyrics tantalize tidbits of nostalgia. Country crooners can always wet the eyes of the steeliest of hearts; however, Kenny Chesney took it to a whole new level. He encapsulated the purity of the spirit in football with his song, but he seared the soul with its flavor.

I dedicate this post to my fellow classmates of Buckhead Academy, who went 10-0 the first year our school ever had a football team (Go class of ’72!) and to my grandson, who at age 7 is entering his first pee-wee football season. Go Bryson II!!! May the tradition thrive!

Football is steeped in tradition, with passionate players, frenzied fans, and crazy coaches willing to do almost anything, go anywhere, and lay it all out for their teams. The madness surrounding the sport is hard to express in one simple statement. Football is such a menagerie of emotions and lessons learned. These emotions along with their lessons, however, can symbolize how you view life or react to it.

I’ve always believed that the past affects the present. What you do or don’t do, who you hang with or how you seize opportunities, even those of the smallest kind, will affect you in ways that you might have never imagined. High school football can be one of those vehicles that contribute to and characterize who you are at the core. Winning or losing seasons can very well personify a way of life for your furture. It has been said that some of the greater lessons are those when losing. Of course, winning is a lot more fun!

Our Buckhead Bucks literally had nothing. Not even a football field to call their own. My dad and a small crew of two or three, led by Mr. Ed Alsobrooks, mounted lights on poles on a torn-up, rundown field in town, just hours before we kicked off our first game. My mother finished stitching the last sleeve of my cheerleading uniform in the wee hours that Friday morning, so I could proudly wear it to school. We didn’t have a formal pep rally to send our boys off raht-proper-like for that first game, but honey, you’d've never known it. We were so late in assembling a football team that we didn’t get registered in time with the state under the “independent schools” sports section.  That meant we would not be allowed to compete on the state level for a championship play-off. But who in the world, in that fall of 1971, gave us a gnat’s chance of winning any game?

Understand, we had nothing. But in reality, we had more than nothing! What we did have was the intangible! That undeniable, deep-rooted, pure as the driven snow, emotionally packed, triumphal spirit that cannot be taught, cannot be duplicated, and cannot be produced, no matter how hard any coach anywhere could muster the effort!

Call it lightning in a bottle, magic or fairy tales, it’s the one thing all schools everywhere should experience at least once in their lives. Indeed, football history is loaded with plenty of heroes and teams that beat the odds. But our little school in South Georgia, located down a dusty dirt road, outside of town, smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, nonetheless went down in state history books! Not because of talent, not because of great coaching, and sadly, not because of the cheerleaders, but because of the intangible spirit within the hearts of every member of our student body!

Our itty-bitty school broke a long-standing record, going 10-0 in its inaugural football season. That made us the first football program in Georgia high school history to go undefeated the first year of playing the game! We came home the champions time and time again that special year and the record still stands.

It was a privilege to be part of it all, and I may be the only senior past or present who didn’t want to graduate—but oh honey, what a year! What an awesome tradition. And the legacy is passed on. It spilt over to my sons’ lives as well. Now, my grandson. That little team brought me through some amazing obstacles in life. That never quit, never die attitude strengthened my soul at times when I needed that extra push when all I wanted to do was give up.

Auspicious experiences in life have a way of leaving lasting impressions on one’s psyche, impressions which can supply steadfast tenaciousness as those lessons are passed on to future generations. It’s hard to fight back those butterflies, every time I think of a cheer, a score or the crowd roaring to their feet on that ole field. All I want to do is celebrate with the Buckhead Bucks once more! So, what do I do? I write about football from a mama’s heart who has passed on that winning legacy.

And, to all those football teams of today—dang-straight! Folks do indeed live vicariously through you. I am one of them!

Green Wave Player Injured: Finding God's Grace in the Depths of Disaster

Only when you’ve had a son of your own go down in the middle of a game can you really comprehend the sudden impact of near hysteria in a mama’s heart. Watching your child lay lifeless on the field can spiral a mother’s mind into orbit with thoughts no one but God could understand. The shock she endures is overwhelming. It is so scary and uncertain.

The effects of injured Tulane player Devon Walker echo far beyond any stadium bleachers. That I am certain of. I know, I understand, because I’ve been in those shoes. It is not something I wish on any football mama anywhere, no matter how huge the rivalry. We are all one when something like this happens.

But how to make sense of it all? How to find God when He seems so far away? How to get a grip on the situation? How to calm yourself and cope, when all you really want to do is chop somebody, anybody’s head off? And, where is God’s grace anyway, dang-nab-it?

Then again, you have to ask yourself this question: Where in His word did He ever say we would not have to suffer? Or go through trials and tragedy? No one is immune from life’s heartaches. That I am also certain of. He did, however, say He’d see us through trouble with grace so amazing it will make even the biggest skeptic scrutinize.

Allow yourself to reflect for a minute—doesn’t God shine His best when we go through trials and tribulation? He’s been shining His best all the way down throughout history. Remember the release of the Israelites from Egypt? Just one example of how God used His guy, Moses, to free the Lord’s people. But God didn’t stop there. Oh no, He parted the Red Sea to see those people to safety! Talk about shining through just in the nick of time! In John 6: 1-14, Jesus once again shines through a set of challenging circumstances, feeding the 5,000 people with a little boy’s two small fish and five loaves of bread, not to mention all those He healed that day.

These are just a few examples from the Bible. I know many of you have personal testimonies of how God shined His grace through tuff times in your lives again and again. He is always faithful, always provides and always shines through! He is amazing.

Sometimes, maybe even most times, we’ll never know the greater purpose God has in store for allowing us to go through such tragedy, but we’ve got to trust that He knows what He’s doing. I can tell you raht now, that’s a tuff cookie to swallow and it is very difficult to understand His grace, especially when your kid is in peril. At this very minute, this family needs our prayers.

I’m asking the Lord to shine His grace upon this family and those who are attending to Devon, including the docs. I pray for His healing power to cover this child. I also ask, in the mighty name of Jesus, for comfort for his mama, to give her and his family God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. I ask You, too, Lord to provide all logistics in getting his family to and from Tulsa or wherever they need to go.

As far as Tulane University, it really doesn’t get any better academically. My oldest son, Bryson Westbrook, holds a business degree from Tulane and played all four years, including the 1998 12-0 season. He knows from experience how hard it is to keep up the GPA and play football for the Green Wave at the same time. This young man is studying to be a pharmacist. Quite impressive majoring in pharmacy and playing the sport. If you believe that wasn’t God’s grace, think again.

Yes, finding God’s grace is possible even in the depths of disaster. It is never easy but at the end of the day, it is worth every tear, worth every heartache, worth every ounce of sweat seeking Him with a desperate heart full of despair. Watch and see how He works it all out. He will shine His grace just in the nick of time! Let's pull together football family and keep this child, Devon Walker in our prayers.