Occupation: Sports & Grants Manager
Resides: Centreville, VA
I played youth football while growing up in Newport News, Va. from the ages of 6-13. To this day, I enjoy looking back at those old photos and remembering the friends and good times we had on the football field.
Football practice is really hard work and honestly, I never really liked practice very much. What kid wants to give up five nights a week to bang around and sweat at football practice when he could be at the pool or hanging out with friends? I thought about quitting on occasion, but football taught me about teamwork and commitment. I couldn't quit on my team. Plus, I loved the competition on Saturdays - it made all those practices worth it!
Some of my fondest memories include:
- Coach Ricky Nelson. Coach Nelson was one of those guys who coached because he loved the game and loved to teach it to young men. He didn't have a son on the team, but was there for every practice and every game ready to push our team to do our best. "Five yards and a cloud of dust," was one of his favorite sayings! He had a few others that I can't repeat here- things were a little different in the 70's and 80's.
- Catching the winning TD pass in the 4th quarter of the city championship game on a trick play we called 'Razzle Dazzle'. Coach Nelson put that play in our playbook the night before the game, in the dark, on the blacktop. I still think he's a genius for that. The most exciting part was that the game was played in Todd Stadium, the home of the city's high school teams. Players like Lawrence Taylor, Al Toon, Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, Aaron Brooks and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin played on this field in high school. I've never played in the Rose Bowl or at FedEx Field, but I imagine the way I felt after that catch is similar - at least for a 12 year old!
- One of my first teams was the Cardinals. Our coach, 'Skinny' Long, used to hand-paint ‘Cardinals' on both sides of every players' helmet at our pre-season helmet painting party. I've always remembered and admired the time and effort Coach Long dedicated to the kids.
- I have a non-football memory that I associate with football. I remember being in the car on my way to practice when I heard about the death of Elvis Presley on the radio. Practice was very somber that evening.
Youth sports, including football, were a huge part of my childhood and I wouldn't trade that for anything. My oldest son will be nine this year and has been begging me to play football this fall. His wish will be granted and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow and learn from playing football the way I did.