Curtis Wilkes - As I see all of the classmates that The Lord has called home way too early, I must comment on my only "Bell Ringer"! Upon seeing the name of Curtis Wilkes, I reflect back to a sophomore football practice memory. Although my illustrious (NOT), football career went no further than high school, what transpired between Curtis and myself on one particular play in practice, well let's just say "I'm happy I don't have any of those symptoms that retired NFL players have after they have had their bell rung (Concussion), one too many times"! Curtis (being much larger than myself at this point in my life), get's the handoff from the QB, cuts around the right side (seen from my cornerback position), he is full speed towards me (I'm not thrilled about this reflecting back as of now), My Dad always said "Focus on the navel, the feet and head fakes are no good, the mid section tells the truth", so I run at Curtis full speed and we both lower our heads for impact. Now, since we had both been coached well on how to tackle and get tackled, you can only imagine what happened next. "Text Book Bell Ringer"! Our helmets met directly square and we bounced off of each other landing approx. 12 feet apart backwards from each other, legs spread wide, dumb look in each others eyes, ears ringing & "Damn it, he still was holding on to the ball"!!! Curtis, there is a Christian Song that has lyrics that state that "God has a Big, Big Field, where we can play Football"! I look forward to our next game my friend :-)
Brian - well said. Thanks for the memory. I am pretty sure I remember that very play! I do hope we all get to play again someday. Can you imagine a game, and all the joy and excitment that comes with it, without all the pain - that would indeed be heaven!
I didn't experience that bell ringer, but Audio Adrenaline's chorus is as follows: "It's a big big house With lots and lots a room A big big table With lots and lots of food A big big yard Where we can play football".
I also echo condolences for Curtis and know with our the limited time on Earth it is with faith and excitment I look forward to football games in heaven. All the best in 2017 Steve
Love the song, agree with the comments and maybe finally the pointers you gave me at QB, (Steve, we made a deal, I help you with Math & you would help me on the field), will finally pay off :-)
Thankyou for sharing the memory Brian. Now that i am a 230 lb guy i wish i had played high school football.....but not at 6 foot 5 and 170 lbs. You reinforced my non-decision. And put a smile on my face.
Brian Flinn
Curtis Wilkes - As I see all of the classmates that The Lord has called home way too early, I must comment on my only "Bell Ringer"! Upon seeing the name of Curtis Wilkes, I reflect back to a sophomore football practice memory. Although my illustrious (NOT), football career went no further than high school, what transpired between Curtis and myself on one particular play in practice, well let's just say "I'm happy I don't have any of those symptoms that retired NFL players have after they have had their bell rung (Concussion), one too many times"! Curtis (being much larger than myself at this point in my life), get's the handoff from the QB, cuts around the right side (seen from my cornerback position), he is full speed towards me (I'm not thrilled about this reflecting back as of now), My Dad always said "Focus on the navel, the feet and head fakes are no good, the mid section tells the truth", so I run at Curtis full speed and we both lower our heads for impact. Now, since we had both been coached well on how to tackle and get tackled, you can only imagine what happened next. "Text Book Bell Ringer"! Our helmets met directly square and we bounced off of each other landing approx. 12 feet apart backwards from each other, legs spread wide, dumb look in each others eyes, ears ringing & "Damn it, he still was holding on to the ball"!!! Curtis, there is a Christian Song that has lyrics that state that "God has a Big, Big Field, where we can play Football"! I look forward to our next game my friend :-)
Curtis Songer (Songer)
Brian - well said. Thanks for the memory. I am pretty sure I remember that very play! I do hope we all get to play again someday. Can you imagine a game, and all the joy and excitment that comes with it, without all the pain - that would indeed be heaven!
David Ainley
I didn't experience that bell ringer, but Audio Adrenaline's chorus is as follows:"It's a big big house
With lots and lots a room
A big big table
With lots and lots of food
A big big yard
Where we can play football".
Isn't our Father amazing?
Steve Roderick
I also echo condolences for Curtis and know with our the limited time on Earth it is with faith and excitment I look forward to football games in heaven. All the best in 2017 Steve
Brian Flinn
Love the song, agree with the comments and maybe finally the pointers you gave me at QB, (Steve, we made a deal, I help you with Math & you would help me on the field), will finally pay off :-)
Terry Davis
Thankyou for sharing the memory Brian. Now that i am a 230 lb guy i wish i had played high school football.....but not at 6 foot 5 and 170 lbs. You reinforced my non-decision. And put a smile on my face.