Friday Night Lights
So ... I did it. I finally received my full initiation into Texas life. Friday, I attended my first high school football game. For those of you not privied to the hilarity of watching me watch sporting events, I urge you to skip ahead.
I strategically went to the game without pillows or any other props to throw in despair to avoid any lawsuits. (What can I say? Once in law school, you see the world through the lens of litigation). The Carrol High School Dragons obliterated the Fossil Ridge Panthers 56-24. Number one in both the state of Texas and the nation as a whole, I have no doubt that given the opportunity, the Dragons would in fact wipe the astroturf with the IU football team. The game came complete with celebrity sightings. Drew Bledsoe showed up at the game and hopefully, took notes.
I think the overwhelming community interest may be the most amazing part of the entire phenomenon of Texas high school football. Sure, in Friday Night Lights, you write off the town's fixation with the team to a case of small town boredom. However, Southlake sits adjacent to Fort Worth--anything but a small town. Nevertheless, you sit in the stands at a home game and marvel at the number in attendance. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of kids both on and off the team show up en masse. The football game serves as the social event of the week. Moms catch up in the stands, while dads comment on next week's match up.
The man seated next to me engaged in conversation with me intermittently. I told him of my recent arrival in Texas by way of Indiana. He asked me why I decided to attend the football game. I simply answered, "To see the phenomenon in action." He laughed and said, "Well I'm sure it's not much different from Indiana basketball."
No. Indiana basketball pales in comparison to Texas football. Maybe once upon a time, back before class basketball and general apathy took over, Indiana basketball demanded the same level of fervor Texas football currently enjoys. However, if there is one thing I've learned about Texas, it is that everything truly is bigger here.
I strategically went to the game without pillows or any other props to throw in despair to avoid any lawsuits. (What can I say? Once in law school, you see the world through the lens of litigation). The Carrol High School Dragons obliterated the Fossil Ridge Panthers 56-24. Number one in both the state of Texas and the nation as a whole, I have no doubt that given the opportunity, the Dragons would in fact wipe the astroturf with the IU football team. The game came complete with celebrity sightings. Drew Bledsoe showed up at the game and hopefully, took notes.
I think the overwhelming community interest may be the most amazing part of the entire phenomenon of Texas high school football. Sure, in Friday Night Lights, you write off the town's fixation with the team to a case of small town boredom. However, Southlake sits adjacent to Fort Worth--anything but a small town. Nevertheless, you sit in the stands at a home game and marvel at the number in attendance. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of kids both on and off the team show up en masse. The football game serves as the social event of the week. Moms catch up in the stands, while dads comment on next week's match up.
The man seated next to me engaged in conversation with me intermittently. I told him of my recent arrival in Texas by way of Indiana. He asked me why I decided to attend the football game. I simply answered, "To see the phenomenon in action." He laughed and said, "Well I'm sure it's not much different from Indiana basketball."
No. Indiana basketball pales in comparison to Texas football. Maybe once upon a time, back before class basketball and general apathy took over, Indiana basketball demanded the same level of fervor Texas football currently enjoys. However, if there is one thing I've learned about Texas, it is that everything truly is bigger here.