"Some people think football is a matter of life and death.
I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
--Bill Shankly--
It's true.
I'm a Texas girl who loves her football.
But you know what I love
more than football?
(photo courtesy of Rod Adeylotte for the Houston Chronicle)
These boys.
You know these boys, don't you?
These are my boys.
These are the boys who
stole my hearts as sixth graders
when they entered my campus.
Then they started playing football
in the seventh grade.
There is only one word
to describe them...
AWESOME!
These are the boys who went
undefeated throughout their entire
junior high football career.
These are the boys who hold
a very special place in my heart
because they are not only talented athletes,
they are outstanding young men!
These are the boys who gave me
the gift of football again.
My husband no longer
coached on the sidelines.
I no longer had sons
playing every Friday night.
These boys became my boys.
I loved them so much
that when it was time for them
to move on to high school,
I moved with them!
Then life got in the way
and my journey in life went
in another direction.
But they are still my boys.
And I still love them.
If you don't believe me,
just mess with any one of them
and see me go in the protective mode!
I am so proud of their accomplishments.
Want to see them in action this year?
In these photos,
my boys might be wearing white or black jerseys,
but they will always be wearing this helmet.
The lyrics under each photo are from
Kenny Chesney's" The Boys of Fall".
(photo by Charlie Ballard)
"When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass
I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulderpads
Standin' in the huddle, listenin' to the call
Fans going crazy for the BOYS OF FALL."
(photo courtesy of Houston Community Newspapers)
"They didn't let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game-day jerseys down the hall
Kings of the school, man, we're the BOYS OF FALL"
(photo by Charlie Ballard)
"Well, it's time to face the stars and stripes,
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's callin' in the air, 'Alrighty, yes sir, we want the ball'
And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash
It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass"
(photo courtesy of Houston Community Newspapers)
"It's I got your number
I got your back when your back's against a wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
WE'RE THE BOYS OF FALL"
(photo by Charlie Ballard)
"In little towns like mine that's all they got
Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops
The old men always think they know it all
Young girls will dream about
THE BOYS OF FALL"
(photo by Charlie Ballard)
"You mess with one, you got us all
WE'RE THE BOYS OF FALL"
(bad photo courtesy of me)
Did I mention that my boys are going
to play their very last high school game
on Friday night?
Boys,
I've been flying this flag at my house
in honor of your last game!
Just one other thing I might have
forgotten to mention....
(photo courtesy of Dallas Cowboy Stadium)
My boys will be playing their final game
at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium
for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
Boys, I have three things to tell you:
"Show class, have pride and display character.
If you do, winning takes care of itself."
--Paul Bryant--
"Luck is what happens when
preparation meets opportunity."
--Seneca--
"Boys, you have made this woman so dang proud."
--Malisa Hargrove--
Want to see one proud woman
yelling in support of her boys?
You can see it.
Friday, December 17th.
4:00
Dallas Cowboy Stadium
HOW 'BOUT THEM TROJANS?
