A Mere Fleeting Thought

THAT I HAPPENED TO CATCH - #1

I am stoked to see the 2023 Superbowl !

I know this sounds almost unpatriotic and I may lose half of my readership in one fell swoop, but I’m not a big sports enthusiast… at least in the traditional sense. Don’t get me wrong, I love sports and will be heading out to go XC skiing in about an hour -when it warms up to 20 degrees. I have taught adaptive downhill skiing with and for veterans and all sorts of other disabled folk for years and currently volunteer with a program teaching horseback riding to people with disabilities.

Recent Therapeutic Riding post

However, as anyone from my days at Haddon Heights High School might remember, I was a complete klutz. I broke my tibia and fibula skiing at Pine Hill with it’s pathetic 150 foot vertical drop, my senior year. In my defense I did encounter a slalom gate frozen solid into the ice and my budget ski bindings never considered releasing. I consequently shied away from team sports and there was not a single coach in a five mile radius that wanted that to change.

In case any of my 3HS classmates are curious, things did get better. I finished ahead of about 8ooo runners in the Marine Corp Marathon in 1984, and for about five years straight was one of the best hang-glider pilots in Otsego County New York - but I digress. I always thought that when I retired, I would watch more football on television. I’m amazed by the shear athleticism and dedication of high-end athletes. But it just hasn’t become a “thing” yet.

Well on February 12th, 2023, it’s gonna be a thing. I’m like almost related to one of the key defensive players. Thanks to a Facebook post from Jim M, I just found out that Haason Reddick, who’s playing for the Eagles in the Superbowl, graduated from my Alma Mater. We probably both walked through the same dimly lit hallways and peed in the same old urinals! How cool is that? I’ve enjoyed watching the “local” GB Packers in their many championship pursuits, but this is another layer of cool. Haason is from my tribe.

I’m actually not usually a fan of tribalism, but this is different - that fantastic athlete went to my High School! There’s nobody bein’ put down here, but it sure is great to lift up one of our hometown’s best! We’re proud of you - Haason!