Friday Night Lights.......The Time is Now.

Friday Night Lights.......The Time is Now.

by Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

The clock has just struck midnight. When you wake up this morning, the awakening will be like no other. The long awaited season is upon us.

The Time is Here. The Road to Friday Night Lights begins Today.

Today is the beginning, gentlemen. Today, you will make a commitment. A new beginning. There is no other time of year like this one. No better feeling than you will experience when you do it right. The path to Friday Night Lights is finally within your reach. No more wishing, nor waiting, or wondering.

The Time is Here, The Time is Now........

Look around you before you set foot on the battlefield today. These are your football brothers. Together, as one, you will bond as a team. You will form the Brotherhood which is High School Football. This opportunity will never pass your way again in your lifetime. There is no other game like it. The best times of your life are here.

Nobody said it will be easy. Today, the heat and humidity may seem unbearable. There will be times as the season progresses the bitter cold will cause the sweat to freeze solid on your eyelashes. But the love of the game and the commitment to your Football brothers will make you forget all about the forces of nature.

"they didn't let just anybody in that club,

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood,

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall,

The Kings of the School, man, we're the boys of fall."

There are those of out there who went before you, ya know. Some think about the game for a few years, then the memory fades a bit when a new life begins. Many of us never completely banish the memory though. There are a few of us who have never, ever forgotten. We remember every word our coach told us. We replay every single game, every play, every single mistake, every blunder, and all the glory we felt.

Some of us still experience the heartbreak of missing the game.....48 years later. It can rip your guts out because no matter how hard you wish, or pray.....you can never go back. But the memories are always there. Some days you will drive through a small town, pull off the highway, find the deserted football field and walk to midfield and replay it all. Then you find your way to the old wooden bench, splintered and weather beaten from time. You look up at the sky......and cry. Oh God, please take me back to those days...............

"Well, it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes,

It's fightin' back them butterflies,

It's call it in the air, yes sir, we want the ball.

And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash,

It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass,

It's, I got your number, I got your back,

when your back's against the wall,

You mess with one man, you got us all,

The Boys of Fall." *

You then wipe the tears away and pray nobody saw what just took place. As you walk away, the sun rays beaming down on you like the Friday Night Lights, you suddenly realize how good it was. Oh, how good it was!

So, today, right now, remember this. Bond with your football brothers. Your hearts beat as One. Never let the brotherhood down...on OR off the field. You are all in this together, and together as one you can take on all who wish to challenge you. You will find a way to overcome all obstacles, to WIN.

The Brotherhood of Football. Look around you.......it's there. Bond today, hold hands, and never let your brothers down. Enjoy it all. Football is life now, gentlemen.

Football is Believing.

Football is hard work, dedication, and sacrifice,

Football is Brotherhood.

........and there is a reward at the end of this rainbow. There are memories and life lessons that will never be forgotten.

Now.....play hard, play smart, give it every ounce of energy you have, do it right, and listen to your coaches. Friday Night Lights are upon you.....the greatest time on earth.

Can you Feel it?

_

*lyrics from Kenny Chesney's "Boys of Fall"