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I haven't been to one game yet. Not in a stadium, bar, or friend's apartment. Not at my High School for homecoming or while in a waiting room or diner, where there are 6 flat screens but still no perfect view. I don't have a TV of my own yet (new apartment) and definitely wouldn't look for video online. Football season is ON, yes, but at this point, I remain pretty oblivious to the activity.
This is not to say I'm not interested. I am. Just busy. Next month, I'm going in!!
For lots of people I know for whom football is a huge passion, Football Season is already in full swing. The newly chilled October air, the crowds, the close calls, the rivalries, the last minute victories, the beer, cheerleaders, touchdown victory dances, tailgate parties and, if you're a player, the thrill of getting on that field in front of all the aforementioned to Bring. It. Home. Football...
Sports in general (to which I can relate) and football in particular are a tremendous way to bond with family and form the kinds of relationships with friends that feel familial. I've recently and very gratefully been in touch with my former middle and high school gym teacher, Coach Mark Collelouri. He was one of my favorite teachers and remains a special, inspirational person in my life. I have very positive memories of playing sports under his eye, training in the weight room with his football and baseball players (he coached both teams), so much enjoying just being one of the guys, and always knowing he was one of my biggest supporters throughout my life both on and off the field. I was close to his father, Mario, and was getting to know his son, Tommy, so much the pride and joy of Coach C's life.
Tommy had a very special relationship with his Grandpa Mario. Back in the Summer of 2000, after Tommy was named a 2nd Team All American in football as selected by Bigger Faster Stronger, a publication in the field of athletics, strength and conditioning, he wrote a piece for the BFS Journal titled inspired by their relationship.
"His Words of Confidence Live On" is a tribute to Mario's role in Tommy's development as an athlete and man. I asked Coach C if I could repost it, since the piece made me realize how important it is to remember and celebrate the wisdom of our elders, but also because of the very specific message, which is, it takes ONE PERSON to believe in somebody 100% and truly change the course of his/her existence. Just ONE PERSON to make an indelible impression and offer those words with just the right amount of faith and encouragement.
As a writer, teacher of intenSati (a fitness practice that uses spoken affirmations and places tremendous value on the importance of positive, inspirational language), and reader, I can be very (perhaps too) attached to words. I love words yet words are just the start of an idea or a sentiment. But what is beneath or beyond the words? Without love behind the words, for instance, they can seem so empty. Without strong intention, the meaning could get lost...
Yet, if there is love and no expression or communication through words, sometimes it just isn't enough. We have words for a reason. A wonderful reason! Poetry, prose, songs -- a simple I Love You -- are here as ways to express what is felt. We can be grateful to those who put into words what we sometimes cannot.
With that, I share with you Tommy's piece in its entirety, reposted with permission from his dad. :) I hope you find it as inspiring as I do, both for the experience and way it's communicated.
HiS WORDS OF CONFIDENCE LIVE ON
By Tom Collelouri, BFS 2nd Team All-American
Published: Summer 2000
His spirit lives on. I still hear his words of confidence every day of my life. Though he passed away almost three years ago, I can still feel his presence.
Ever since I was in the seventh grade I had been told that I was too small to play football. I never really had much size as a child, but my love for the game was great. I can still remember my first scrimmage in the fourth grade. I was playing Strong Safety against the Giants. I remember dropping back and seeing the ball go up. I reached out, caught the ball and returned the interception for forty yards before being knocked out of bounds. I
