THANK GOD FOR TEXAS

On a recent trip to Texas something struck me. Being from southern California and an ardent sports fan I am always observing athletic fields, parks and other exercise venues as I cruise the southland. And being someone who feels strongly that our nation’s human inhabitants need to get off their duff and do something, I have noticed one disturbing trend that has gotten progressively worse, and it bothers me no end. You never see any goal posts anymore. You see soccer goals galore, but no goal posts.

The trip to the aforementioned land of Friday Night Lights did much to restore my faith in our country. Maybe I had been leading a sheltered life here in southern California. Maybe I just needed to venture east of the state line to realize there is still hope. Texas has goal posts galore. Not just on high school and college football fields but parks have them too. Lots and lots of goal posts. And their football fields make a man proud. Well manicured with substantial bleachers that are packed on game days and nights. As you drive through the cities and small towns you are left with the distinct feeling that football matters here. It is still an important part of their sports fabric.

Now I have nothing against soccer. Not everyone can play football and it is good there are other options for those who, because of size, culture, or whatever, chose not to play football. I am all for anything, ANYTHING, that gets our kids off the couch, out from behind the computer and out of the house, running and jumping in gymnasiums, on courts and fields until they are plumb tuckered out.

All I am saying is more power to all sports, it’s all good. Just be sure one of those sports we preserve is football. I was beginning to doubt our countries desire to do so. My trip to Texas provided me the reassurance I needed.