As soon as the ball left the kicker's foot I knew it had a chance. Through the uprights, splitting them perfectly, spinning end over end, coming straight at me. Oh yeah. There was absolutely no doubt. This one was mine.
I was at the Air Force football game this past Saturday, seated where we always try to be, right behind the end zone, lined up with the center of the goalposts. Earlier I had given my son, who is a cadet and was sitting next to me, a hard time because a previous kick had gone through his hands.
If you love football, live in Douglas County, and you've never been to an Air Force game, you're missing something.
The tailgating, the flyovers, a stadium full of fans, great competition and a bowl-qualified team, a bunch of cadets that don't get out much and scream and yell and cheer the whole time, you've got it all and its just down the road.
Normally I am waiting, anticipating the flyover, but this time we were a little late getting seated. I may have been trying to finish my tailgate beer, but I'll never tell. Anyway, there I was, fumbling about getting myself situated when the crowd roared, followed by an even louder, incredible, ear splitting ROAR. I looked up in time to see an F-22 Raptor rip by directly over me. As I watched the pilot pointed the nose in the air, climbed, did a lazy barrel role and disappeared into the clouds Then came another. Awesome.
If you have never looked up into the after burners of an F-22 as it climbs directly away from you, the sound vibrating your rib cage,well let me tell you, it is amazing. Like something out of Star Wars.
The ball began its descent, spinning rapidly and following a lazy arc. Still coming right at me. Yeah baby, come to poppa.
As a kid I was a little undersized for organized ball, but we would play pick-up games after school in the side yard or at one of my buddy's house until it was too dark to see. I always had pretty good hands. I could catch that pigskin.
Air Force had opened up what had been a tight game at half time with a few key plays. It's amazing how well they do. They always seem a little smaller than the other team, but they hustle, are disciplined, and never give up. They're a fun team to watch and cheer for.
This kick was a PAT. The point after the touchdown. I had plenty of time. This was gonna be easy. Still coming straight at me. My name written all over it. Watch this one folks. We'll show you how its done.
After every score a group of cadets will run down into the end zone, do push-ups until they have matched Air Force's total, then hustle back into the stands. Dan pointed out the new commandant, down there doing push-ups with the cadets. He said he seems to be a great guy.
It was slow motion. I was zonin'. The ball settled into my ha.... THE BALL BOUNCED OFF MY CHEST! The frikkin' ball bounced off my chest! Next to me my kid and my buddy Steve laughed. In the row below me a woman picked up the ball and gave it to her husband, who threw it back onto the field,. She turned and we gave each other the high five. It bounced off my flippin' chest! Man oh man oh man oh man.
Later, as my son headed back to his dorm and Steve and I walked back to our car, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The freaking thing hit me in the chest and I fumbled it. Geez.
There's one home game left. I'm going for those same seats. Give me another shot, boys. One for the old man in Section L15, row M, seat 15. Thirty five years ago that ol' boy could catch anything thrown at him. No worries. We'll show you how it's done.