It’s a whole new ballgame.
This was my view on Saturday afternoon.
My oldest is down there on the right, member of the Fighting Blue Hose.
He didn’t dress in pads for the game because they might red-shirt him, this season. Not sure — I’m just a mom?
But it was fun going to the game on Saturday.
As a person who has attended college football games all her life, I became acutely aware of something a bit different.
We sat in the stands surrounded by folks similarly situated as us. Not just in proximity, but with children on the team. And a lot of their sons were on the field.
So I cheered a lot.
That’s not so unusual. But I didn’t criticize either.
Watching football up in the stands or in front of the television, when a player drops a ball or fails to make a catch — that’s what you do — editorialize. Right?
Seated next to parents, siblings and loved ones cheering for their sons, brothers and friends, I had a keen awareness that what happens to players on the field is felt by folks up in the stands.
This Saturday, Presbyterian travels to Georgia Tech to play the Yellow Jackets who lost on Monday night to Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech might be set to open a can of make-up whoop-a on the Hose. Jake has enjoyed the preparation all week even though he will be watching the game with some of his freshman teammates back in Clinton.
Whatever happens on Saturday night, I’m not going to comment negatively on the players. That’s part of their coaches’ job.
I couldn’t criticize my son — I can’t do the same to another mother’s youngin’.
That said….
Go Blue and beat those rascally Yellow Romper Stompers.
How do you feel sitting in the stands when you child is playing?
Linking up with #iPPP with Greta@GFunkified and Julie @Mamamash.
I haven’t had to do it yet…but I can only imagine how I’ll feel! Yikes! I’m glad you won’t be criticizing, though….even with little bitty kids in t-ball, some parents just. don’t. get. it. It makes the kids feel horrible, and the parents! Ugh.
Um…but….the hose?! Is that a mascot??
Ha. Greta yes..the Blue Hose is well, think of Mel Gibson in Braveheart. It’s a Scottish thing,
Exciting! I’m glad he’s going to school close enough so you can go to the games (and I’m with you on no criticizing!). GO BLUE!! 🙂
Thanks Julia. I never criticized with lower school ball games (especially with kids I knew) but it always seemed like college was a different level. But now sitting with the parents made me realize it’s just the same as sitting there at Pee Wee league.
Not had a chance to attend my children’s games yet, but I don’t think I could bring myself to do it–to them or to another player.
Thanks for the insight from the stands. 🙂
Daphne
Daphne, I got to thinking how quickly we get on a kid who throws an interception or misses a tackle — but when you are sitting next to their mother, it presents an entirely different perspective.
It does give you a different perspective when you are around others vested in the participants. I have had to watch what I say many times as a coach around other coaches and parents and athletes. I guess it makes us enjoy the action rather than be critical of the little things.
Great post. I want my son’s team to win, annihilate is fine actually. But I don’t get parents who desire the same fate and think this allows them to tear down the opposing team in the process.
I am the mom who has no problem standing up in the stands and glaring at the aforementioned parents. Of course when we get home my husband (who is always coaching in some capacity) says 1 of 2 things. First, “you know those parents you stared down, they don’t care what you think”, or second, “I hope you weren’t parked beside them”.
Bring on Fall ball. 🙂
It can get heated, Lisa. I remember a long time ago when my son with first game nerves fumbled the ball three times in one game. The comments got so bad I had to leave where I was sitting. I had a raging stomach ache. And that was just middle school. I can’t imagine a stadium of 60,000 booing your child.
I used to go to college football games when I went to college myself, at the University of Colorado and watched the CU Buffalos. That’s about the extent of my college football knowledge.
Just today we talked about hockey at work (that’s actually pretty much the only sport you talk about in Canada) and my coworker was saying that there are a lot of armchair coaches out there…. knowing everything better, criticizing…
I have always just enjoyed watching the games – whatever sport – and tried to appreciate the hard work that goes into it; because I don’t really know what I’m talking about in any sport 🙂
Hi Jamie! That sounds like a really exciting read. Thanks for visiting my parenting “reality” blog, Amanda’s Books and More and leaving a comment that made my day! God bless!
Tina – mom of 4 and author of 5 blogs
I haven’t watched my children play any sports against others yet so I’m not sure how I’ll react. Maybe one day I’ll find out.
FOOTBALL!!!!! I love football when it’s other people’s sons playing. I am terrified to see my kid on the field one day. Please just be a musician, please just be a musician…