Happier Times!

"The Last Huddle"

The picture above was taken on the football field at Tabor College.  This was on November 15, 2008.  The last football game of the season and of Marcus' career.  This very moment was after ground breaking for the new field.  It was a rare picture of all four of us.  Usually one of us is always missing because one had to be taking the picture.  This time Marcus was holding the camera.  There were other attempts but his shot came out the best.  It was so cold that day.  Typical Kansas weather.  It was a bitter sweet day.  Sweet because Marcus knew it was another milestone in his leaving college and moving on with his life.  Sweet because Tabor was embarking on an ambitious project of rebuiling old Reimer Field to something a bit more modern.  Bitter because his playing days at Tabor eneded on a loss.  Bitter because this day marked a possible end to his football days.  Marcus was thinking of trying out with one of the indoor/arena leagues.  His coach had mentioned that he had a try-out with the Wichita team.  Marcus had always aspired to kick in the NFL, but he knew his limitations.  Even with the imminent end of his kicking days, on this day he was not ready for his dream to end.  He wanted to continue kicking, even in the lower leagues.  Even if were just as a feather in his advertising hat for his Personal Training career.  He thought his future personal training clients would love a professional athlete managing their physical training.  Of course sometimes he would let his imagination let fly.  He would often say to me, "How excited do you think people will get about fitness if the get a chance to be trained by a former Dallas Cowboy?  They would go ape-shit!" 

"Last Game Day Exit at Reimer Field"

After games, win or lose, Marcus was always one of the first players to leave the locker room.  On this day, Marcus really took his time.  He made sure to thank all his coaches and I think he shook every players' hand from both teams.  It seems so ominous to me now.  I am a very superstitious person and I usually do not make special efforts to commemorate moments like the two instances the photos above capture.  I titled the image at the top of this page "The Last Huddle", which proves to be true.  Because, now only in our hearts and minds can we all four huddle once again.