A Word For All The Football-Lovin’ Dads
Posted by Martha & Greg Singleton , Saturday, February 2, 2008 6:46 AM
“I don’t care what you do as long as you keep the kids quiet so I can watch the game.”
That sentiment will be ringing out in homes throughout the country as men everywhere settle in at 5:18 CST Sunday for the kickoff of Super Bowl XLII. Okay, I realize it’s not the most wholesome attitude for any dad who figures to be in the running for Father Of The Year, but, I must admit that I used to occasionally fall into that trap. Come on, now, and be honest. All the rest of you have, too.
So, if we hope to remain beloved to our children, highly esteemed by our wife, and still savor every snap of the football game of the year, what plan should we enact to get the job done? I have some experience in this arena, so as I present my life story, sit back and learn, Grasshopper.
I love sports. Actually, I’m passionate about sports. I have been since my earliest memories as a child, probably because my Dad loved sports so much. When we were blessed with kids in our home, I had two options. I could draw the battle lines and forever be challenged by the inevitable interruptions as I tried to revel in the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Or, I could share my passion with my kids. I chose the latter, and, thankfully, it paid off.
Annie was born September 21, 1980, at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, which happened to overlook the Oak Hills Country Club, site of the Texas Open. Was it mere coincidence that labor and delivery had a large picture widow that gave a perfect view of the 18th hole? I think not. Annie’s first introduction to this world was a large gallery cheering Lee Trevino on to the championship.
The first gift I purchased for my daughter was a tiny pair of Houston Oilers’ pajamas, and her first Sunday afternoons were spent propped on a pillow in front of the TV in those pajamas as we watched Earl Campbell, Kenny “Snake” Stabler, and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, march into the NFL playoffs. I didn’t think it could get any better, but then I had a son.
Matt’s bedtime stories were actually about a fictional sports hero I made up who was somewhat of a blend of Jim Thorpe, Superman, and Billy Graham. He always said and did the right things, played all sports and won almost every game in some spectacular fashion. And, he loved Jesus! It must have made some kind of impact, because, in his athletic career, I do believe Matt tried every sport that was out there.
I tried to make the games I was interested in become events for the kids. If the Spurs were in the playoffs, and I wanted to be sure to see the game on television, all of us would plan a family party complete with decorations and arena food. We went to as many games in person as we could, and did all the things that would make it memorable for Annie and Matt.
I got to live out one of my dreams when I worked for a professional football team back in the days of the United States Football League, when football was fun. I should thank our team's head coach, Jim Bates, for making pro football a family affair, encouraging coaches, players and staff to include their families whenever possible. So I took Martha and the kids to work with me as often as I could. Annie will tell you about her memories of running around the track at Alamo Stadium with Jim's son, Jeremy, who is now the quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos. Players passed Matt around like he was the football. And Jim entertained the kids with his dead-on Donald Duck imitation.
I can’t tell you how it thrilled me as my kids grew to love sports, too. The memories that we’ve been able to share together are the dividends of the time that I spent passing my passion on...
...In eighth grade, Annie took the skills from our driveway basketball games and, out of the blue, told me, “I think I’m going to try out for the team.” So she laid aside her passion, drama, and worked harder than I’d ever seen her work to make the basketball team. She did it, and even ended up her one-year career as a starter.
...Most people who casually know Annie would be shocked to find out that she’s been an official game statistician at courtside and in the dugout. She’s such a lady that they can’t believe she has that jock side to her.
...I was thrilled when she called me from college to tell me that, as the yearbook sports editor, she had received the top award among all the colleges in Oklahoma.
...Nobody ever worked harder as an athlete than Matt did. He never turned down a challenge. Undersized as a lineman on one of the top high school football programs in the state of Texas, he not only succeeded, he was the team captain.
...He led his school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes in things that were more important than the game itself. Those guys have gone on to win Olympic gold medals, play in the NFL and play professional baseball, but they still look to Matt for counsel and leadership.
...I can always count on getting a phone call from him when there’s a game on TV that we’ll both be watching.
...Annie and Robbie’s phone call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game one Monday night, just to make sure I’d look for them on TV
...Annie, the middle school drama teacher, telling me, “I actually think I could coach a middle school football team.”
...Matt coaching football clinics in California
...the memories go an and on.
Whether it’s sports, music, cars, or your faith, share your passion with your kids. It just might become their passion, too.
