Brian Childers
MDI Contributor
So I was asked to speak of sports. Here are a few thoughts…
Preamble: When I was six months old I contracted German measles, which “settled in my eyes” causing them to cross. Consequently, I had three eye surgeries before I was 18 months. One of the aftereffects of this was that I don’t see “in stereo vision,” like EVERYBODY, and certainly many a BOY, does. (And by the way – I’m also red-green colorblind which additionally removed me from the population of potential pilots – rats!)
Foreword: I learned about 2.5 years ago, for the first time in my 70 years, that I don’t see in stereo. For my whole life I just figured that I suck at ball sports. Imagine, if you will, growing up as an American boy that sucks at ball sports, picked last for any and/or every team or ball game. Brutal is one word that kinda gives a sense of how most of the other boys treat said pariah.
Well, onwards to see other sports memories.
I remember one day when I was in the 8th grade at Christ the King School, playing defensive end (I think I got to actually play in one game). One day, I either made a solo tackle or contributed to every tackle made at that practice. Boy, did I celebrate that day! See? I still remember it at 70.
Let’s see … sports fan in Atlanta? Well there was this time in 2017 when I felt all of the blood in my body drain out into the yard, because …
“The Atlanta Falcons blew a 25-point lead to the New England Patriots in the largest collapse in the history of the Super Bowl. … Up 28-3, the Patriots got going and the Falcons’ offense seemingly stopped. Of course, the Falcons’ offense was so efficient early that their defense was left on the field most of the game.”
Just swell. Shut up Stan Snow!
Most recently, on October 1, 2016, I was quite honored to get to be “the voice of The Ted” (Turner Field) for the last Braves game ever played there. I will be proud of that ‘til the day I die. I was here when the Braves arrived from Milwaukee in 1966 and have suffered through many seasons with them – though they might have a shot this year.
Turner Field Farewell: The Ted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAnstXSzxY8
This article wouldn’t be complete without a mention of my ball sports nemesis, Howard Hoge, the host of the open house that got me to the Sterling Men’s Weekend. Hoge seemed omnipresent whenever I would fail to catch or drop a ball from anyone, anywhere. He was magically there to offer a friendly, if irritating, “ball sports!”
I love you, Hoge, ya bastid, ya! Ball sports, indeed!