A Football Life.

“They didn't let just anybody in that club

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood

To get to wear those game-day jerseys down the hall

The kings of the school, man, we’re the boys of fall.”

Anyone who has followed my sports career knows it never existed; if there could have been a worse athlete, I would like to meet them and compare notes. Just like the movie Airplane, when Elaine is asked for “something light to read?” and replies “Uhh...how about this leaflet, Famous Jewish Sports Legends?” That was in reference to me. Check that I wouldn’t even make a fortune cookie.

But I did like sports a lot, and as I have gotten older, I recognize how gifted these humans truly are at their crafts.

But there’s another side to the story. It’s the athletes and families that devote so much of their lives to the sport, only to see them end one day. When it does, whether it’s pop warner, the minors or professional leagues---when it’s over, there is a huge void in their lives. Often times before they are prepared.

Many years ago I was fortunate to attend two different sales meetings where I met professional athletes. One was a speaker at a conference, the other at a bar where many of us were hanging out; both showed a side of life that left a big impression as this was easily 25 years ago. They had been at the top, and after the lights dimmed down….looked for what was next in their lives. 

The first was a meeting where Jim Plunkett, who rose to fame as the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, spoke to our group. Afterward, I saw him walking to the lunch area we where we were to meet—-he was alone. I was actually shocked, so I walked up, introduced myself and for probably 15 minutes we talked; not about football, but about the time he left the field for the last time. I think he was surprised by the conversation---I know I was. We just kept talking until we ended up at the location where lunch was  to take place and shook hands. I was very honored he spoke with me, and happy he didn’t ask about my sports career!

The second person I met was Ron Greschner who played for the New York Rangers for many years. It happened at a bar where one of my “less-than-intelligent” associates, decided to get into an altercation with his personal body guard. Not that he needed one, I assume ihe was someone who was there to stop people from bothering him. Like me. Ironically.  I had no idea who he was, but I knew his former wife had been in one of the models in a Sports Illustrated Swim Suit edition. We didn’t talk about her if that’s where your mind was going---we talked about finance and investing. Specially about stocks and the market.  He was very well versed on the topic, and as I was leaving, I asked if he would sign a card, for my son. He said, “Give me his name and your address and I will send it to him.” By the time I arrived home a few days later, it was there. How cool is that?  You’re probably wondering about my associate? I don’t remember his name, but I do recall he was lucky to have lived through the evening.

The photo above is from the Iowa State v.Oklahoma game a few years back in Ames, IA. Knowing I was going to be lucky to be on the sidelines, I asked a friend which players I should be watching? There was only one name that kept coming up…his name was Baker Mayfield and he was quarterback for the Sooners. I also learned he was up for the Heisman Trophy which he won that year. That night, I was just a picture taker among many on the sidelines, but as I left the field at the end of the game--I realized this was my football life.

Thanks for stopping by.