Everyone knows I’m not much of a sports fan. Sports didn’t play much of a role in my childhood. Dad did put a basketball pole in the yard, but we really couldn’t dribble on the grass. I played baseball for a couple of seasons, but didn’t even try to get into a Little League team with uniforms. Khoury League with T-shirts had to do.
When I entered high school I thought I’d go out for football. But the first practice was on a track field, and the coach wanted to see how tough we were. He told us to dive into the cinders, and I just went home. When I went out for wrestling, a couple of classmates told me I would be guaranteed a letter if I’d volunteer to be the manager. I did, but who wants to wear a letter with MGR on it?
Sports did, however, become important for me when I became a father and grandfather. When Matt and Nikki went out for soccer I knew nothing about it, but really enjoyed watching them play. Matt tried football for a season, but decided he’d rather make music, and Nikki stayed with soccer through her first year in college. When the grandkids got into soccer I was ready, and loved watching them play. Even when they played like a swarm of bees after the ball.
Grace and Anna stuck with soccer throughout high school, and both were team captains. I was really looking forward to the year they would get to play on the same team, but then Covid struck. Josie and Will are now playing soccer, but they are in Tennessee.
I don’t think I have to tell anyone what kind of athlete Carter is. The media does that for me. And now Levi is a freshmen kicker, on the varsity team.
Obviously I’m very proud of all my grandkids, but Carter did something a couple of weeks ago that took my pride to another level. While we were at Bible study he texted Nikki to tell her he was making thirty-five milkshakes for kids from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He began leading the Auburn chapter last year, and had invited all his friends to come. Thirty-nine came, and Carter was more excited than I’ve ever seen him. Even after a touchdown!
And so was I.
God Bess, Rick
Chatham Christian Church 