The Maestro
8/31/2011, 11:53 PM
May The Maestro have a moment? I've been on this board as AmbassadorofRed, RedOnTheHead and The Maestro for over 10 years now...so please, allow me.
My oldest son, Landon, has been a Sooner fan since birth. Way back when, we posted pics of him on this board when he was in Kindergarten walking onto the Lloyd Noble Center floor the night Hollis hit a jumper to beat Texas Tech on ESPN with the whole clock issue...
Well, time has passed. Honestly, Landon grew up battling a weight problem. But his Mom and me always encouraged him to try and be healthy and work to make himself feel better. Kids are mean...and they made fun of him along the way. But he battled...got in shape...and found his sweet spot in life with his friends.
Time passed and he wanted to play football. But his dang middle school only offered flag football...and he was blessed with his dad's speed. Flag football sucked. Landon started his freshman year of high school this year and was determined to play football. He started practice in the Arizona heat the first week of June. Weights, core training and outdoor practice week after week after week. Time came to pick numbers. Time came to pick positions. Landon was a linebacker. He loved hitting and tackling. We talked and he asked his coaches if he could wear number 12...in honor of Austin Box...as his nickname is Sooner on the team. His team wears black and red so every day Landon wore his black gym shorts and a different OU shirt every day. When his coaches told him he got #12, Landon was PUMPED! And why not?
We watched all the ESPN All Access shows and the final Training Days video...it put things in perspective for Landon. He had never played tackle football. He is at a football powerhouse school. But he is determined.
Tonight the Williams Field BlackHawks freshman football team took the field for the first time...and with a nice 30-0 lead at halftime, the reserves knew they were gonna get some playing time. Landon took the field and gave the Sammy Sosa-esque kiss to the sky...in honor of Austin Box. And a Dad couldn't be more proud. Not every play came his way...but he came on a blitz one time and assisted on the sack. He had three other tackles. And he did the #12 proud...and he is inspired by Austin Box.
Football. Life. Landon ain't ever playing for OU...but OU did something to him this year with the Austin Box story and Landon's desire to wear his number in Gilbert, Arizona, and make a statement...at least to me and him.
Boomer Freaking Sooner...
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312929_2388335191362_1340290916_32823295_349405_n. jpg
My oldest son, Landon, has been a Sooner fan since birth. Way back when, we posted pics of him on this board when he was in Kindergarten walking onto the Lloyd Noble Center floor the night Hollis hit a jumper to beat Texas Tech on ESPN with the whole clock issue...
Well, time has passed. Honestly, Landon grew up battling a weight problem. But his Mom and me always encouraged him to try and be healthy and work to make himself feel better. Kids are mean...and they made fun of him along the way. But he battled...got in shape...and found his sweet spot in life with his friends.
Time passed and he wanted to play football. But his dang middle school only offered flag football...and he was blessed with his dad's speed. Flag football sucked. Landon started his freshman year of high school this year and was determined to play football. He started practice in the Arizona heat the first week of June. Weights, core training and outdoor practice week after week after week. Time came to pick numbers. Time came to pick positions. Landon was a linebacker. He loved hitting and tackling. We talked and he asked his coaches if he could wear number 12...in honor of Austin Box...as his nickname is Sooner on the team. His team wears black and red so every day Landon wore his black gym shorts and a different OU shirt every day. When his coaches told him he got #12, Landon was PUMPED! And why not?
We watched all the ESPN All Access shows and the final Training Days video...it put things in perspective for Landon. He had never played tackle football. He is at a football powerhouse school. But he is determined.
Tonight the Williams Field BlackHawks freshman football team took the field for the first time...and with a nice 30-0 lead at halftime, the reserves knew they were gonna get some playing time. Landon took the field and gave the Sammy Sosa-esque kiss to the sky...in honor of Austin Box. And a Dad couldn't be more proud. Not every play came his way...but he came on a blitz one time and assisted on the sack. He had three other tackles. And he did the #12 proud...and he is inspired by Austin Box.
Football. Life. Landon ain't ever playing for OU...but OU did something to him this year with the Austin Box story and Landon's desire to wear his number in Gilbert, Arizona, and make a statement...at least to me and him.
Boomer Freaking Sooner...
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312929_2388335191362_1340290916_32823295_349405_n. jpg