I loved football at dear old Shidler High. Of course you have heard me talk about how great the coaches were in helping me becoming a better person. But there were moments which are truly integral to the development of myself and others in who we are today.
Football allowed me to learn about myself physically, mentally and emotionally as well as a team player. I learned that any running back had to have great linemen else they got squashed like a bug on your windshield. It did not matter how fast or quick you are if you did not have good people blocking and opening a hole for the running back. Frank Ball was probably the best lineman we had in that he was big and quick and liked to hit people. I am confident he was the strongest person on the team but he saw himself as a person who made things happen even when it was not his name that got announced over the microphone. You see offensive linemen don't get recognized for knocking the defensive person on their rear end but the running back and quarter back get credited for throwing a pass or running for more yards. That is character in my opinion, Frank Ball. Now I will have to say that Frank knocked some of those folks backwards just because he was so ugly he scared them, just kidding.
I was never the best speaker or motivator but I was easily motivated to do my part and that allowed me to give everything I could muster to win. Every game I would get what they call butterflies. That is when your stomach is tied up in knots because you are so very anxious to get going. When it came time to run out on the field and bust through those banners the girls made each week I just could not help but be pumped up. Then all the cars parked around the field would start honking their horns and the band would selflessly play for the crowds and us. The stands would explode with applause and shouting and sometimes you could hear your name shouted out. And those cheer leaders amazed me as they worked hard every day and during the games just to make the atmosphere better and to make the players want to do their best. How could you not be proud of the fans and other students who did so much just to make the game more fun and more exciting.
Football made me realize I could do more with my body than I thought possible. Running laps around the field and sprints until there was no oxygen left in the air seemed impossible but we all endured through it. What most of us did not know at the time was the coaches were doing this for us so we could be better. At the time I thought they had lost their minds. I would add one thing that was good for me and that was almost everyone on the team was faster than me except for about 1 to 2 weeks a year. At the first of every season we would have summer practice in the hot hot Oklahoma sun but I hauled hay every summer with Don and Kenny Kelsey so when practice started I was already use to the heat and in good shape. It was the only time I ever outran AJ and Dave Jacques, Steve Chrisco, Rick Hill, Jon Tanny Olsen, Hugh Allen Jones and Jimmy Heath and how about Pat Nelson and Johnny Payne and all of the others. That week or two were my favorite each year because I hated being slow. Character, I had to learn it even though I hated the lessons.
Well we never won all of our games and for the most part won about half of our games. One year we lost a game 2 - 0 and it was not a soccer game. We lost 7 to 6 and just about every game was no more than 14 point for either team. To say the least we were excellent on defense and that might have something to do with Coach Cotham who was one of my favorite coaches.
Today, what did football do for me? My knee is killing me!!!
So what do you learn in the OSAGE?
Football allowed me to learn about myself physically, mentally and emotionally as well as a team player. I learned that any running back had to have great linemen else they got squashed like a bug on your windshield. It did not matter how fast or quick you are if you did not have good people blocking and opening a hole for the running back. Frank Ball was probably the best lineman we had in that he was big and quick and liked to hit people. I am confident he was the strongest person on the team but he saw himself as a person who made things happen even when it was not his name that got announced over the microphone. You see offensive linemen don't get recognized for knocking the defensive person on their rear end but the running back and quarter back get credited for throwing a pass or running for more yards. That is character in my opinion, Frank Ball. Now I will have to say that Frank knocked some of those folks backwards just because he was so ugly he scared them, just kidding.
I was never the best speaker or motivator but I was easily motivated to do my part and that allowed me to give everything I could muster to win. Every game I would get what they call butterflies. That is when your stomach is tied up in knots because you are so very anxious to get going. When it came time to run out on the field and bust through those banners the girls made each week I just could not help but be pumped up. Then all the cars parked around the field would start honking their horns and the band would selflessly play for the crowds and us. The stands would explode with applause and shouting and sometimes you could hear your name shouted out. And those cheer leaders amazed me as they worked hard every day and during the games just to make the atmosphere better and to make the players want to do their best. How could you not be proud of the fans and other students who did so much just to make the game more fun and more exciting.
Football made me realize I could do more with my body than I thought possible. Running laps around the field and sprints until there was no oxygen left in the air seemed impossible but we all endured through it. What most of us did not know at the time was the coaches were doing this for us so we could be better. At the time I thought they had lost their minds. I would add one thing that was good for me and that was almost everyone on the team was faster than me except for about 1 to 2 weeks a year. At the first of every season we would have summer practice in the hot hot Oklahoma sun but I hauled hay every summer with Don and Kenny Kelsey so when practice started I was already use to the heat and in good shape. It was the only time I ever outran AJ and Dave Jacques, Steve Chrisco, Rick Hill, Jon Tanny Olsen, Hugh Allen Jones and Jimmy Heath and how about Pat Nelson and Johnny Payne and all of the others. That week or two were my favorite each year because I hated being slow. Character, I had to learn it even though I hated the lessons.
Well we never won all of our games and for the most part won about half of our games. One year we lost a game 2 - 0 and it was not a soccer game. We lost 7 to 6 and just about every game was no more than 14 point for either team. To say the least we were excellent on defense and that might have something to do with Coach Cotham who was one of my favorite coaches.
Today, what did football do for me? My knee is killing me!!!
So what do you learn in the OSAGE?
- The best in football and the best in business are those who have the best people like Frank
- It is a lot more fun going on a journey with other people than going alone, Thanks to my Valentine, Shouna, I have 41 years together as a team plus a few children added to the team along the way. Kind of like having Icing on the CAke
- Don't think too highly of your self because there is always someone coming along getting better just to be faster than you.
- Stay the course and build a good solid team
Thanks for your time and the memories,
gary@thepioneerman.com
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