The Boys of Fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game-day jerseys down the hall
The kings of the school, man, we're the boys of fall

Last night, I witnessed my oldest son's last high school football game as they were beaten in the state playoffs. As he walked off the field and our eyes met, we grabbed each other and held on as tears streamed down both our faces. So proud. "It's been a great ride, son."

On the drive home alone, my mind went back to our backyard when he was little and just starting to learn the game. My mind went back to my Dad. My mind went back to my football career. Lost in the smell of the freshly cut grass, the sounds of pads crackling and the smiles and tears of games gone by.

I've always said football is the ultimate team sport. But, it's so much more. It's a brotherhood like no other.

I have played, coached, talked about the sport on radio and TV and watched thousands of games.

The life lessons the sport teaches are too numerous to count.

I have had the pleasure of coaching both of my boys; seven seasons each. The view from the sidelines as a coach and a dad is amazing.

From my Dad to me and from me to my boys. Life and football. Always intertwined. Always connected.

It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The boys of fall.

Jim McKay for the Win

"The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

Iconic sports reporter and broadcaster Jim McKay so eloquently summarized the game of sport (and life) with that one simple phrase.

In life, it as an absolute truth that you will savor the sweetness of victory and dine at the buffet of defeat. You will win some and you will lose some. Knowing that, doesn't remove the pure joy from the win or the bitter disappointment of the loss. The two are intertwined. It is the loss that makes the win work though. The low turn of the roller coaster after a loss is followed by the high ride back up.

If you love winning more than hating losing, you are missing the point.

Both the loss and the win carry powerful magic that is undeniable.

I have coached and played thousands of games over my lifetime. I have lost plenty and won my share. They could certainly fill a book.

Two of the most memorable wins involved coaching my sons in football.

Two magical seasons.

The first was my oldest son's flag football team in 2010. A group of kids who didn't know each other when the season started went on to form a bond and win the championship.

The second was my youngest son's 2016 6th grade season. They went undefeated and it was punctuated in the final game of the year beating an undefeated team at the last second on a goal-line stand.

Winning and losing. Losing and winning. Thrill and agony.

It's all a part of the game.