While I’ve got a minute between classes, I wanted to share my experience at Homecoming last Friday. I don’t go to many high school football games because it always makes me miss being on the field too much, but my niece was in the court again this year. Last year, I had to miss it because of my brutal schedule, and while my schedule is still tough this year, I felt like I needed to be there for her.
I hadn’t been to a game at Burke-Toney Stadium since they installed the artificial turf, and I have to admit that the field is pretty nice. Back in the day, the grass was always maintained fairly well, but now, the artificial stuff is just amazing to see. The new Jumbotron on the scoreboard is pretty nice, too. Now, the stadium has the feel of a small college, and it’s a pretty impressive sight. The old Burke-Toney, with the block wall surrounding the entire stadium, felt like an old fortress, and it had an intimidating feel because of the grittiness, but this new place is intimidating on a completely different level.
Being there brought back a lot of memories, mostly good but some painful. I played six seasons of football on that field. The last one was the most difficult because of my accident. The coaches wouldn’t play me because of my injury, and standing on the sidelines and watching guys not as talented get pushed around was hard for me. I wanted to help my team but couldn’t, and every time I’m at a game, I feel like I have unfinished business. Maybe one day eventually that feeling will go away.
I want to write more about the night because there were a couple of very positive things that happened, but right now, I have to get to class. I’ll try to write more later.
Big Owl's Tree 