I played sports when I was a kid: football, basketball, and baseball.  Even though I tried baseball it did not quite work out.  I was not the most athletic kid around, yet somehow I must have looked the part.  Even in Middle School when we played kickball in the gym, the other kids would back up thinking I would kick the ball over their heads; even though I always gave my best effort, I only kicked it a short distance.

When I tried baseball for the first time at about six years of age, it did not turn out well.  On the first day of practice, the coach hit a ball toward me and another kid as we were having a discussion, and the ball went right past us, so the coach got on to us and had the audacity to make us run a lap.  To run a lap around the ball park seemed daunting to me.

Remember I told you I was a mean kid before I got saved because I refused to run the lap; then, something else happened but I can not remember what it was.  What I do remember is getting angry at the coach and quitting, and as I was leaving I was carrying a bat; the coach shouted, “Leave the bat!”, so I threw it and it almost hit him.  I was not trying to hit him, obviously; I just remember him looking at me and shouting, “Hey!”, but I still gave him the stink-eye as I walked away.

What can I say other than I did not put up with much from people when I was six, but I thank God that today I can usually let things roll off my back because that is what Jesus would do.  I do not know why I had such an attitude when I was a kid, and I would be lying if I said that attitude is completely gone; I am not perfect by any means.

Once when I was around eight years of age, I was playing in a basketball game at the Recreation Center in Mebane, and we were winning by a little with not much time left; the ball was passed to me and a kid fouled me kind of hard, as it almost knocked the breath out of me.  He probably did not mean to or he was just frustrated, but after he fouled me I stared and pointed at him, and I could hear my father from the stands shout, “What are you doing?”  I made free throws and we won the game, but I got a lecture on the ride home; kids!

Another time I was playing basketball at the age of seven, and we were at the opposing end of the court; the ball bounced off the rim and I caught it, so everyone ran to the other end and I was standing there by myself, so I took a shot at the opposing teams goal and it went in.  I can remember hearing cheers and laughter ringing through the atmosphere, and man was it embarrassing when I realized I had just scored for the other team.  The coach took me out after my little mishap, and I was riding the pine; that was a good shot though… haha!

My athletic ability escalated when I turned the age of fifteen; I had grown a lot and developed some muscle and had better hand-to-eye coordination, but unfortunately that was when I stopped playing football; I stopped playing Recreation basketball when I was thirteen.  I still played with my friends and that was fun and competitive.  We used to play pickup games at a church just down the road from where I lived; sometimes it got heated but the pastor was always there to settle us down, and it would always be a teachable moment for him which I appreciated and respected.

I did have one moment of glory when I played JV football my freshman year; it was third and long for the opposing team, and I was able to blow by my defender and sack the quarterback.  The quarterback almost eluded me, but I was able to grab hold of the back of his jersey and swing him down to the turf.  It was a great feeling: teammates slapping my hand as I ran off the field, cheers coming from the visitor side, and knowing my father was in the stands watching.  We lost every game that season, and maybe that had something to do with me not playing anymore; I suppose the effort I put in to play football was not worth it anymore.  Besides, I was way more interested in partying at the time.

I love sports, but I do not play anymore because I am over-weight and my knees and back are shot.  One thing that really attracted me to Crystal was the fact she played field hockey in college.  Crystal did not play in college very long because she had to have knee surgery after a car accident before the season started, and it never stopped hurting while she was on the field; I am still proud of her!

I really enjoy watching college and professional sports, though I do not agree with some aspects of it; like some of the rules and regulations, and a four team playoff that should be eight teams in college football.  Then there are sports like NASCAR and Professional Bull Riding that have changed traditional ways of doing things.  Why does the stock car circuit need a playoff?  Why does the PBR have to let riders pick their own bull when they should have to draw their bull?  In my mind, it is boneheaded decisions like this that ruin sports.  Now, college athletes will get to be paid, and how will that affect things?

Well, there is nothing I can do about things that are out of my control; all I can do is watch the games and events with a scowl on my face, and do not get me started on officiating in any sport.  Sports will always be a part of my life.  I am glad I got to play sports when I was younger because I learned a lot about discipline, motivation and being a team player.  Most of all, I think passion is the biggest part of playing a sport; that is something I lacked when I was younger, but I sure have a passion to watch ESPN…lol!  Unfortunately, my wife hates watching sports, but I think I can convert her.  Wish me luck, and GO HEELS!

Thanks for reading, and I love you all!

Take care and God bless!

Chris