Personal Narrative: Flag Football Team

Adrenaline pulsing through my body and anxiety filling up in my stomach, I quickly throw on my football gear and head out to the practice field. It’s a nice hot day in Ocala, Florida, with the sun beating down on our necks, we stand side by side in line waiting to be picked to play second, third, or fourth string in a play. Waiting in anticipation, each of us grinding our teeth, watching first string pure athletes colliding against each other like gladiators to have possession of a ball made at one-time of “pig’s skin”. To some people, the game of American football makes no sense, whether it’s the idea of trying to protect a ball or running and passing it to make a goal for your team. People like this, see the concept of football and understand why millions of people love it; but to them the sport is pointless and causes way too many casualties. Coming from the most us who love the sport, it’s not the worry of getting hurt that you mainly

The Thursday night lights beamed down on me as kickoff approached. It was the last game of the 8th grade football season and the last chance to make my mark on a personally rather ordinary season. We were playing Celina, a team known to be a powerful opponent. I was on the kickoff return team, playing on the far left side of the field and on that particular night we were set to receive the kick. The referee’s whistle pierced the warm and soundless autumn air. The opposing kicked charged towards us like a stampede of animals as the kicker struck the ball. I realized the kick was an onside kick but at that moment it was too late the ball whizzed by my head; I froze, unable to think or move a crowd of players had trampled me. As I lay on the ground I played the scene over and over in my head desperately looking for some justification for my failure, and as it played in my head I

Texas is known for its agricultural landscape but most of all by Friday night Football. In small town communities like Dimmitt being on the varsity team is a big deal.Being moved to Junior Varsity football after making the varsity team, put me in a position to contemplate my loyalty to the sport and to the coaches I felt betrayed me.

My church plays in the Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament every November. This was not only a time to bond with my youth group, but to also create friendships with other church teams. However, there was a problem: my team consisted of players from age 13-20; however, the 13 year olds had little-to-no flag football experience. Consequently, they got less playtime and slowly became discouraged However, as a leader I wanted to show them otherwise: I coached them, helped them, and give them a new perspective on the game.

When I was 7 years old I went to my first high school game with my mom, the teams that played were Roosevelt and Flower. I will never forget that day Sept 8th at 8PM friday night lights. My older cousin Brett Pierce was the starting Cornerback for flowers, I admired him because he the starting Corner and he was ranked #23 in the Nation for his position. My cousin ended the game with 18 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles that was one of the greatest days of my life. After the game was over I asked my mom could she sign me up to play football, she told me I wasn’t big enough. My mother is very over protective of me since I am her only son.

For my Diverse Field Experience this semester, I spent fifteen hours at the Mclean County Juvenile Detention Center. This particular center was occupied by about 8-14 juveniles at a time, all depending on court dates and occupancy of other nearby detention centers. This center usually had 3 staff members working the shift every time I went, which was seven to nine on weekday afternoons. I was intrigued to go to at this time because I thought it would be the time of the day were the juveniles had no school work or other obligations to do while I was there. I wanted to see what they liked to do in the free time before bed, the only stipulation being mandatory snack time at eight pm. I have seen plenty of students in a classroom environment during my clinicals here at

“If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.” – Lou Holtz. This has always been my mindset from when I was in little league until now. Although, I have faced some adversity along the way, this quote always pushes me to do better and better each and every day.

“I don 't want people losing respect for me as a player. I want to go out in every game and perform to the highest level. I have no retirement plans. I 've had a lot of injuries but I want to continue playing.”- Robbie Fowler.

Erik and I first met back in kindergarten playing baseball for the highly recognized Eagles organization. Erik was third base, I played shortstop, and from that point on a friendship was bonded. We both attended Cherry Hills Village Elementary School through 5th grade. Seeing how we shared all the same activities, it was hard not to become friends at such an early age. During the week we would have class, baseball or football practice, and detention. For some reason teachers and coaches were not always a fan of our jokes. As I write this, I realize my parents were probably not a big fan of them either because after 5th grade Erik went off to West Middle School (public school) and I unwillingly went off to a private middle school. From 6th

My experiences on the Silverado flag football team where good so I was happy that my brother decided to play, it was my brothers first game and I was carrying the ez up that we would bring to every game. We looked for somewhere to sit and my mom pointed towards you and your mom, I was a little hesitant at first but we ended up sitting with you guys. We had a lot of fun even though our brothers team wasn't doing too well, after we left that first game I couldn't stop thinking about that really cute girl I sat next to. I thought that it was a fun experience but I didn't think it would go anywhere, but boy was I wrong.

One sunny afternoon on June 6, 2012 we gathered at the neighborhood baseball field in

North Andrew hadn’t been to a state championship game since the early 90’s. This isn’t acceptable in a small football town like mine. Everyone knew something had to change. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in 2012 that we finally made it back to a state championship. We had a new coach that year and a lot of talent. Our new coach worked our butts off, harder than any other 8 man team in the state. This was difficult for all of us but we later learned that hard work really pays off.

One day five years ago my father asked me if I wanted to be the water boy for the Milton Hershey School football team. I said, “Yes”. So for three years I was the water boy. I once got cleated in the face. I had to sit down for a little, but then I sprang up as fast as a rabbit. After the game my nose felt like it had been ran over by a truck.

It was a hot Monday morning, a horrible day for any sort of athletic practice, however the football coaches thought it was the perfect weather.

It was a hot July night. The softball game that had been scheduled, was cancelled because the other team was short 2 players. Right after the umpires called the game, the girls showed up. So, instead of completely wasting everyone's night, the coaches decided it would be a good idea to have a scrimmage. It would be good practice for everyone.