Flashback to Backyard Football

Gather 'round everyone. It's story time, and this is a good one. I remembered an experience the other day as I was completed a job application. One of the required assignments was to submit a video of me telling a funny or moving story. At first I drew a blank. And then it hit me. I've got the perfect funny story about an experience that helped me realize that I had selected the right career.

Anyone who knows me, knows I got my start announcing football games in my own backyard. During football season the grass was always cut and the lines painted on the field with an assist from my parents. From inside the house you could hear the call: "Seegmiller drops back, throws to Seegmiller...it's complete! Seegmiller to the 20, 10, 5...touchdown Seegmiller!!"

I was the best player on the field. I was the ONLY player on the field. I'll never forget those games played on Seegmiller Field wearing my Steve Young uniform. Those backyard games helped me decide on a career I could be passionate about. They are great memories. In fact, they are so great that last night I felt the urge to relive them.

As my wife and I arrived home after a long day of work and school early in our marriage, I was retrieving all my things from the car. It was then I noticed the football in the car. I picked it up, looked out in the parking lot, and realized that between the cars parked on either side of the lot was a perfect field for football. After seeing the asphalt field glowing in the moonlight, there was no denying how I felt. It was game time. I grabbed the ball and headed out for one last play of backyard football.

"He drops back, looks, fires across the middle and it's...caught for the touchdown! Touchdown!!!!!"

It wasn't until I had finished my end zone celebration that I noticed the neighbors from across the parking lot watching my every move. Talk about embarrassing. I had scored and called the winning touchdown in front of a true audience.

I turned to see my wife laughing hysterically, and I couldn't help but laugh with her. We headed inside to recount the experience over and over, laughing harder and harder with each recap.

That is what life is all about. Enjoying the little things. I'll never forget the chance I had to relive those backyard football games. Sure, it was embarrassing and the neighbors thought I was crazy, but it helped me realize that the career I was working toward was the right one for me. From that point on, every time I've put on a headset to call a game, I've always remembered...backyard football.