(Photo courtesy of Miriam Ashman)
Let me tell you about football. The fact that I don't know much about football does not deter me from loving the sport. I truly believe that the only explanation how the Ducks have been doing so well these past few years is that I, the girl from Taiwan who did not know the difference between football and wrestling; and could not ascertain between a touch down and a hoe down; and whose first impression of football was that of many young men chasing after one ball and would pile upon each other on the field, have been watching the games, cheering the Ducks and becoming a rabid fan of the Ducks. Chip Kelly? I have duded him part Chinese. The talents of the players? Well, naturally, if they want to play on MY team, they've better have some oomph in them. Yup, it's the truth in my universe. For those of you who are choking up right about now, stop the dramatics already!
There is no doubt that football is a masculine sport. Aside from the intensity, it also expresses the fundamentals of the male sex. Look at the uniform: the shoulder pads, the tight pants and the helmet transforming a regular looking fellow into the physique of the ultimate masculinity. Of course the purpose of the uniform is mainly for safety and protection; it is no denying that the imagine of a football player is also an imagine of a warrior. Adding on the strategic nature of the sport, it is a battle field in the form of a game devoid of bloodshed and casualty. The most exciting , to me anyway, is when a play being carried out to perfection – the line, the speed and the team work with an electrifying result – touch down!! The stadium would be filled with roaring and the Marching band playing loudly. Maybe it’s science (per Chip Kelly); maybe it’s pure luck (look at how Alabama whipped LSU’s butt!). No matter what it is, football is an exciting sport to watch and I have millions of fans backing me up on this claim.
But the best football game I've watched, the most fun I had at the game, the most adorable players that I've ever seen happened November 12, 2011, at 1 p.m.
I have never been so madly in love with a football player. My adored football player stands about 4 foot 11 inches, weights about 95 pounds. He no doubt inherited his maternal grandfather's stockiness which is a physical trait of the northern Chinese people and has his paternal grandparents' southern American height. Although he is considered big and tall among his peers, he has the gentlest demeanor and kindest brown eyes. I've been watching him playing football for two years now and he's never ceased to tug my heart strings when I saw him offering a hand to a player who had fallen on the ground. His kindness had no regards if the player was his teammate or not. He looks remarkably handsome and strong in his football uniform but I adore him most for his sweet temperament.
He loves playing football and has immersed himself with the collegial statistics of PAC 12 and the NFL teams and players. I was often amazed at how easily he rattled off the stats of certain teams, players and what have they done to impress him. He carries on football conversations as if he is a sport broadcaster. It is something special to watch him talking with his dad and have his dad nods in agreement of whatever he knows about these football teams.
These fourth graders played like professionals: they followed through on their plays and did a “scoop and score.” They high-fived each other and did chest bumping. They might not like to hear it but they are just so darn cute! The announcer was loud through the speaker and the huge tv screen did replays of the touch-downs and the tackles. They did everything as if this were a collegiate football game which made it more special for the boys. All those practices in the hot August days, the sweat, the tears and the bruised arms and knees were all forgotten when our boys were presented the championship trophy. What a season! What an exciting ending for the team!
I have never been so madly in love with a football player. My adored football player stands about 4 foot 11 inches, weights about 95 pounds. He no doubt inherited his maternal grandfather's stockiness which is a physical trait of the northern Chinese people and has his paternal grandparents' southern American height. Although he is considered big and tall among his peers, he has the gentlest demeanor and kindest brown eyes. I've been watching him playing football for two years now and he's never ceased to tug my heart strings when I saw him offering a hand to a player who had fallen on the ground. His kindness had no regards if the player was his teammate or not. He looks remarkably handsome and strong in his football uniform but I adore him most for his sweet temperament.
He loves playing football and has immersed himself with the collegial statistics of PAC 12 and the NFL teams and players. I was often amazed at how easily he rattled off the stats of certain teams, players and what have they done to impress him. He carries on football conversations as if he is a sport broadcaster. It is something special to watch him talking with his dad and have his dad nods in agreement of whatever he knows about these football teams.
(Photo courtesy of Miriam Ashman)
It thrilled my little football player that he was going to play at the Autzen stadium, the home of the Ducks! I’d never been to Autzen when it was quiet like this November afternoon. The seats obviously weren’t filled which allowed us premium spot to watch the game. Ethan had a quite a cheering squad consisted of Aunt Marianne, Aunt Suzanne, Uncle Doug and Cousin Miriam who is also a photographer; and of course mom, dad and Henry. Uncle Stan was home preparing Ethan’s victory dinner: BBQ baby back Ribs.
We sat under the gray sky with the chilling breeze, holding cups of hot chocolate and wrapping up in blankets and scarves. The weather might be cold and bitter but Ethan’s cheering squad was sizzling loud and joyful. We hollered “Go Panthers!” or “Go Medford!” At one point, Aunt Suzanne was traveling back to her college years and she shouted “Go Cougars!” and it started the calling of every other cat-like animals on the planet. “Go Tigers!” “Go Gazelle!”… It went on and we laughed. I’m sure the Eugene folks had no doubt that, by the passion of our cheering, we belonged with Larry, the cable guy. (Yup, we did throw a couple of “git-her-done” in our barking and hollering.)
(Photo courtesy of Miriam Ashman)
These fourth graders played like professionals: they followed through on their plays and did a “scoop and score.” They high-fived each other and did chest bumping. They might not like to hear it but they are just so darn cute! The announcer was loud through the speaker and the huge tv screen did replays of the touch-downs and the tackles. They did everything as if this were a collegiate football game which made it more special for the boys. All those practices in the hot August days, the sweat, the tears and the bruised arms and knees were all forgotten when our boys were presented the championship trophy. What a season! What an exciting ending for the team!
(Photo courtesy of Miriam Ashman)
Happy 10th Birthday, Ethan.
