#football

7 PLAYS

Have you ever had the wonderful surprise of finding something you weren’t looking for?

My latest was a folded piece of paper…tucked neatly in the bottom of a drawer.

 

On it was a list of 7 football plays…in ink…now faded black

7 plays I taught our grandchildren…when I was their quarterback.

 

Immediately I was transported to our back yard

but to different years…and different days

I could see us out there…playing football

practicing those 7 plays.

 

Two grandchildren made up each team

and since an even number we lacked…

being the oldest and the slowest

they made me all-time quarterback.

 

Which meant they looked to me to lead them down the field

to surprise, to astound…to amaze.

It was up to me to help them score…hence the need for these 7 plays.

 

As I stood gazing out the window

in awe of how clearly those old memories replay

I wondered if any of the grandchildren remembered any of these 7 plays.

 

I’m sure they remember our football games

and if they have forgotten the 7 plays that helped them score…

There’s a wonderful surprise waiting for them

one day

tucked neatly

In the bottom of a drawer.


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West Ham

West Ham have signed striker Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt in a club record deal worth up to £45m.

http://waccamawtrailblazers.com

The 25-year-old former France under-21 international has signed a five-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

Haller, who is West Ham's fourth summer signing, scored 20 goals in 41 games for the German side last season.

The deal eclipses the £36m fee paid by the Hammers for Brazilian Felipe Anderson in 2018.

"I think it's a really good opportunity for me to be here," said Haller.

"It means a lot [to be record signing]. I felt this desire to sign me and I'm really happy to sign. It is an ambitious club, a nice club, a nice city and nice fans too.

"For me I can guarantee that I will give 100% for the club because the club has given me this confidence and I will try to give it back every day in every game.

"I know it's a big transfer and there is a lot of expectation around me, and I just want to make people proud of this transfer and I will give everything I have."

Author's Notes/Comments: 

West Ham

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My Father's Dolphins Cap

My dad used to wear this old school 1980s Miami Dolphins cap all the time. Whenever he wasn't at work, or doing something formal, he made sure he had that hat on. He bought it in the good old Orange Bowl back when he lived in Miami, during the 1986 AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots (which the Dolphins surprisingly lost). That would've been the last game the Dolphins played in the legendary Orange Bowl since they moved to Joe Robbie Stadium the next year (now known as Hard Rock Stadium). Anyways, fast forward to September 18, 1997. I was born here in Monterrey, since my dad moved here because of my mom. When I got home from the hospital the first thing my dad did was dress me up in a huge Dan Marino jersey, put that cap on my tiny head, and take a picture of me. That picture is framed in my house to this day. The second I was born my dad had already turned me into a Dolphins' fan. Ever since Dan Marino's prime, my parents' wedding, my birth, Dan Marino's retirement, several depressing Dolphins losing seasons, and just overall tough and not so tough times, that cap has always been in the family. A couple of years ago my dad decided to give it to me and I have it on top of a shelf in my room. I don't wear it much since it is pretty old and worn out, but it means the world to my family and me, it resembles tradition in the family and it certainly is more than just a cap. My dad's loyalty passion for the Dolphins has taught and given me more than I could think of; I hadn't realized it until now that I'm writing this. It has taught me to be there for the people I care about through the toughest of times and stay loyal to them, it has given me more patience throughout the years since the Dolphins haven't been pretty good as of late, thus helping me in other situations where I could use my patience. It has also helped me embrace the little things, I remember watching the only game the Dolphins won during the 2007 1-15 season with my dad. It was an overtime thriller against Baltimore and I remember we celebrated it as if the Dolphins had just won the Super Bowl. Ever since then I know how to make the most out of any and every opportunity. But the thing it has given to me the most, is a special bond between me and my dad. Whenever we have nothing to talk about, we just talk about the Dolphins, if we are ever mad at each other, we just talk about the Dolphins and we forget about it. Every single football Sunday I watch the games with my dad and spend quality father and son time with him. All of this can be symbolized by one simple old-school cap, and that is what makes it so special.

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