Football Coaches!

January 1996 I attended my very first AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) Convention in Orlando, FL. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was scared out of my mind.

I knew NO ONE at the convention. Had no idea what I was doing.

Just knew I needed to be there. I was a football coach. I needed to be there!

Well, that was 14 years ago. I have only missed a convention or 2 since then.

I have met so many amazing coaches over the years at these conventions.

I have also met a slime ball or 3.

Since my move back to Texas I have been going through old folders of notes and letters from the past conventions.

It is amazing to see how long I have known some of these coaches.

It is pretty cool to see how many I still talk to and how many I have lost touch with.

There is a core group I keep in touch with who have always been supportive of me coaching football.

Always encouraging.

Always willing to answer any random football question I can throw their way.

Making sure I don't have to sit alone at convention sessions or eat lunch by myself.

Some of them have even bought my football purses for their wives and daughters.

Sometimes they even get me tickets to a game. I don't ask very often but they have always come through for me.

I thank God that I have met more of the good guys than slime balls over the last 14 years.

This small handful I still communicate with on a regular basis is a good group of men. They are obviously NOT in the slime ball group.

They are always respectful and maybe even a little overly protective of me at the convention.

Like I am their little sister. It is good to know that someone has your back.

These men are talented coaches at some of the best schools and pro teams out there.

I feel blessed to call them friends.

I respect them as coaches.

I respect them as family men.

I would let my little brother play for them.

I would work for them.

I hope their wives know what wonderful men they are married to.

I hope their players know how much these coaches care about them.

Friendships are hard to maintain. Some last a lifetime. Some don't survive beyond the convention.

I know I have had boyfriends who hated when I went to the convention.
They couldn't stand that I was friends with these coaches or any man for that matter.

I have tried to explain until I am blue in the face the uniqueness of these friendships.

It is a coaching friendship it is not a man/woman thing it is just 2 people who love football.

We talk about football. I am no longer coaching so I want to hear everything that is going on with their team. I want to talk to them about a play I saw their team run on TV. I am a true football nerd!! They want to know what I am up to now that I am out of football. Some are the ultimate big brother and worried about my life. Am I going to church? Have I found a nice guy yet? How is your little brother playing this season? Even how is Coach doing? (Coach is my mini long-haired dachshund).

So, I cheer passionately for their teams because I know how much they are sacrificing in their lives to coach those teams.

They miss their wife's and kid's birthdays as well as their anniversaries because of recruiting, practices and games.

They have to move at the drop of a hat and their wives are left behind to pack up the house, find a new house in another city, and move.

All while juggling their kid's lives, schools as well as their lives and jobs.

Moving is stressful enough I can't imagine having to do it as often as some of my friends have had to do it. I respect their wives for being married to the crazy game of football.

I don't know if I could do it.

Since it is still Thanksgiving weekend I would like to say I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to coach football. I am thankful for that group of coaches who happen to be some of my best friends. I am thankful that they are some of the good guys in the game of football as well as the game of life. I am thankful that they have loving families who support them even through all the personal sacrifices.

I am thankful for football. It is a crazy and tough game but so much fun!

Happy Thanksgiving All Y'all!!

Had to share....touching football story

Classy New Jersey coach gives skid-breaking game ball to foe

By Cameron Smith

Last Friday, South New Jersey was host to a heated battle between two struggling teams. When the game was finally over, Sterling (N.J.) High coach Jarod Claybourn had to decide what to do with a game ball from his program's first win in two years. According to Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Phil Anastasia, he chose the least-likely recipient in a choice which testified to Claybourn's class: He gave the ball to the other coach.

"I don't even know if I can put it into words," Gateway coach Mike Karp, the ball's recipient, told Anastasia. "We're two struggling programs. Somebody had to lose, and we came up on the short end of the scoreboard.

"But for him to do that, it just shows that we gained some respect that night. That means so much to our kids."

[Video: Team lets opponent with Down syndrome score touchdown]

Both teams were shooting for respect while carrying the baggage of epic losing streaks. Sterling entered having lost 17 straight games, sitting at 0-5 in 2010. Gateway was also 0-5, and the 20-13 loss it absorbed on Friday pushed its own losing streak to 17 games.

While the game had to have a winner and loser,Claybourn said there was no reason why his team deserved to win any more than its opponent. Leading late in the fourth quarter, Sterling declined to punt on a fourth down near midfield to try and salt away a rare victory. Instead, Gateway's defense held strong and earned the ball back.

Gateway then put together one final, dramatic march down the field, fighting into the red zone before the game clock finally ran out.

"They just ran out of time," Claybourn told the Inquirer. "They deserved to win that game as much as we did, if not more.

"They had something like 17 players in uniform [actually, 19]. For them to play as hard as they did and come that close to winning, I just wanted to honor them in some way."

[Rewind: Florida coach suspended for taking in homeless player]

Claybourn indicated his decision to give up the game ball was a reflection of his own personal experience. While struggling through week after week of losses, some devastatingly close, it was sometimes hard for Claybourn to find positive signs to build on. Gaining the respect of an opponent is one of those signs, and handing over the winning game ball was the strongest indication Claybourn's team could give Gateway that it had earned Sterling's respect.

"It was very emotional for me," Claybourn said. "I looked at him, and I knew exactly where he was. I know exactly what it's like to be right there and have an opportunity to win a game and have it taken away from you."

Nearly a week later, the memory is still just as emotional for Karp as well.

"Classiest thing I've ever seen on a football field," Karp told the Inquirer.

Great Friends

Don't really know where to begin this blog. There is so much back story and history that I could write for days and probably not be able to do the story justice.

I know that I need to write about how I am feeling right now.

6 years ago a friend walked into my life. If there such a thing as soul mates in friends he is my soul mate.

He is my confidant.

He has seen my ugly and still loves me unconditionally.

He happened to be in a band when I met him.

We all became fast friends.

I guess it helped that I worked in radio and when you are in a band you want all the friends in radio you can find.

He gave me a cd that day and I was hooked instantly.

It was one of those cds that you can listen to all the way thru and love the whole thing.

Not a shitty song in the bunch. Amazing song writing.

There is one song in particular that reached out and grabbed my soul and has never let go.

Not sure what it was about the song that touched me but to this day it remains one of my all time favorite songs.

Over the last 6 years there have been lots of new songs added to their set lists and my favorite song no longer makes the set list cut.

This friend and this band have become a very big part of my life and will always be an important part of my history.

In March of this year the band decided to part ways.

I was excited to see that 2 of their final 3 shows were in a spot I am very familiar with.

The Minnesota State Fair. (my college hometown as well as home to my extended family)

I knew I had to attend these shows.

I needed a chance to say my own good-bye.

My friend who is also the lead singer in this band did something above and beyond amazing.

During the 2nd show my last show he played my all time favorite song for me.

Just him playing keys singing my song.

I was blown away and I cried like a baby.

Good bye tears for the band I have loved and fought hard for over the last 6 years.

Tears of pure joy that someone would do something so thoughtful just for me.

This is why he is my confidant and soul mate friend.

It is also why he will always one of my most favorite people in the entire world.

I love all 5 guys like they are my brothers and I know that I always will!!

I hope y'all have friends as great as I do!!

Oh the fun stuff!!

So, as I mentioned I have been cleaning stuff out and getting rid of stuff!!

I have way too much stuff!

I can't help it! I LOVE STUFF! FUN STUFF! WEIRD STUFF! STUFF STUFF STUFF!!

Anywho- so about 15 years ago I had this idea for a book.

I spent a lot of time on this book.

I am not a writer so no worries I am not writing a book where you will have to suffer thru my hot rambling mess!!

It is kind of a cool idea for a book inspired by men and relationships!

ANYWHO.....

So, while cleaning I FOUND MY BOOK!!

I am so excited. I re-read it and it is even more fun than I remember.

As I was reading it even more ideas came to me so I added some post it notes.

Look out y'all this is going to be fun!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Kate!!

Long lost friend ... Found

So, as I am doing some spring cleaning. Yes I realize it is August and no longer spring.. I like to take my time.

Anywho I found a box of random stuff. In this box I found a stack of old business cards. Cards of people I used to work with. Cards of randoms I don't remember why I even have the card. And Some of my old business cards from various jobs over the years.

Came across a card of a guy I used to work with about 5 years ago.

He and I instantly clicked as friends when we first met.

We would flirt but nothing ever happened.

He was married.

I was enjoying my time with a fun young 22 year old.

So, we worked and flirted.

I left to go work for an insurance company (oh the stories I have on that experience- a later blog).

He and I lost contact.

Well, I found his card and looked him up on the trusty Facebook.

He popped up I sent a message and he replied almost immediately!

YAY! It was him!!

He called me! He STILL Had my cell number!!

I was giddy!

We talked for 6 hours!!

Yes, I said 6. 6 hours!

And the conversation never lagged.

He is now divorced.

FINALLY we are both single at the same time. hhhhhmmmmmmmmm

The possibilities of it are exciting me.

He called me this morning. Which gave me warm fuzzies.

This world is full of people. Some people come and go fast. Some leave a lasting impression.

He is one of those people.

I know no matter what happens between he and I we will always be friends.

I am happy to have a true and genuine friend back in my life.

I have to admit I hope that I actually get a chance to make out with him some time soon.

To see if there was anything to the sexual tension that seemed to fuel our flirting.

I will keep ya posted!

Happy Tuesday All Y'all!!

XOXOXO

Kate

2010 Football is HERE!

Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable.
Tom Landry

I am excited!

Watched Emmitt get inducted into the Hall of Fame last night!

Great speech! Daryl "Moose" Johnston got some major love!

Cowboys/Bengals play in a few hours!

Excited to see how my Boys look!

Wonder how the Bengals are going to do with Ocho Cinco & King Diva T.O.....

T.O. is only good for one season so I am sure they will do well before his full diva-ness kicks in.

Was going to play fantasy football this year and decided that I will stick with my little football pool with dad.

Anywho- lots to do before kick off!!

Happy Football Season!!

Enjoy!

Hall of Fame Game this weekend!!

After waiting months and months and months thru basketball, college basketball and the baseball we are finally back to football season!

The World Cup was a fun distraction for a few weeks then the USA lost and I lost interest in the drama kings also known as soccer players! Quit flopping around on the ground and play ball!!

Anywho-

The Cowboys will be taking on the Bengals in this years HOF game.

The Bengals just signed the biggest of Diva's T.O. .

Now Ocho Cinco and T.O. on one team holy shit thats a lot of drama.

I hope the WR shut the fuck up and play some football.

I am excited to see what Tony Romo is going to do. I believe he has the talent to be an elite QB.

Yes, I know I am a Cowboys fan but I will admit when players suck.

I think Tony will kick some ass this year.

We have a solid team. I am excited to see what happens!!

So, HAPPY FOOTBALL SEASON Y'ALL!

It is FINALLY HERE and I am a happy girl again!!

XOXOXO

Kate :)