One for the Ages

The best part of being in the U. S. Navy is meeting new people from all over the country. The close quarters on the ship put you right next to some guy who talks with an accent. The bunks go three high and two across taking up about five feet of space way down below the ocean's surface.

With today being Thanksgiving, the three F's are in play: Family, Food and Football. The average person will consume 4500 calories. 88% of Americans will eat the traditional turkey dinner at home or on the road. 75% will attend or watch a football game. The average weight gain will be 1.3 lbs. To work off those calories, it will take six hours of running or 45 miles of walking.

The guy with the funny accent was from Chattanooga. I slept right next to him and we would tell stories most nights well past midnight.

Jerry was a running back for his high school team who were appropriately named the Volunteers. In their Thanksgiving week rivalry game, they were matched against the Tigers from across the bridge. Most rivalries are really not because one team generally dominates the other.

Jerry's team had lost the past three years to the Tigers, and his senior year was probably going to be a clean sweep.

With the score 14-6 at the half, the Volunteers kicked off to the Tigers. Normally, the tee used on the kickoff is retrieved by some youngster. This time, the team manager decided that he would run out and grab the tee. Mike Wilson was the team manager and a high school senior. It would be his only chance to get on the field.

As Mike went onto the field to pickup the kicking tee at the 40 yard line, he worried that he might be in the way of the game. Mike was born with only one leg. He moved so fast that his leg fell off and he hopped to the sidelines with the tee. He then went back on the field and grabbed his leg, triumphantly raising it over his head to show the 12,000 plus fans that he was alright. The roars were deafening.

They say football games can change on the results of a single play. The good looking, wise cracking Mike Wilson had made his appearance for that one shining moment count.

Volunteers 26 Tigers 24

Latin plays English, Classical plays English, and Concord should still play Lexington. Enjoy the games and the day. It is by far the best day of the year.

This article was replayed due to the urging of my longtime friend, Jerry.


Paul Murphy

Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy