Mom can’t protect them on the football field

Now that we’ve been through a few games I’m started to feel a bit more comfortable with football. But I still have that little pit in my stomach that tightens every time I see those boys make a play. I don’t think I breathe until the play is made and I can spot the man child get up safely. I’m pretty sure every parent feels the same way.

What I am trying to understand is the whole moment in my brain that screams “TACKLE THEM, GET THEM, TAKE THEM DOWN…..BUT PLEASE DON’T HURT YOURSELF OR THE OTHER GUY!”

With every play I go through a mixture of adrenaline and fear. There is something wildly exciting about the sound of the pads smashing against each other. I become this crazy woman that is screaming and yelling for our boys to stop the other team. Some of the hits come hard and from out of no where. I jump up and scream. Sometimes I get so excited mumbled ramblings come out of my mouth. I’ve been known to hit the person beside me which was not my husband. I’ve got a mean cow bell arm going. So mean, I broke the cowbell and injured some poor defenseless spectator.

But at soon as the play is over I am scanning the field to make sure no one is hurt. That little ball in the pit of your stomach never really leaves. Sometimes the boys jump up faster than they went down. Other times they get up a little slower. There have been a couple of times I had to remind myself to take a breath. But I have faith in God and the Linton Miner football program to keep these boys safe.

No wonder I feel like I played the game after it is over. The roller coaster of emotions is exhausting! But I love it.

Heidi is an advertising representative at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at hpuckett1999@gmail.com.