Through a Child's Eyes
October 26, 1997
   I saw a college football game through the eyes of a kid this weekend, and it was an experience I hope will never wear off. Lisa and Brigid and I went to Louisville and stayed with Mom and Dad friday night. Then I went to the U of L game to watch them take on Houston. One of the guys brought along his kid, code name "Pat". I was lucky enough to sit next to him for a majority of the game. Pat is a Louisville fan. No doubt exists as to this fact. How else can you explain his words of unbridled bravado as to how our 1-6 Cards were going to tear the hearts from the Houston Cougars and grind them into the artificial turf? How else can you explain the insane optimism as to how the team would come back from being behind 9-0 in the first quarter (and when everyting looked like a total repeat of earlier drubbings)? Of course, Pat was also a bit restless, spending a good portion of the afternoon running up and down the steps and going to the bathroom. True to Pat's predictions, though, and flying in the face of recent history, Louisville continued to hang close, scoring on a pair of long passing plays and a 52 yard run, the last bringing them to a 22-22 tie with 5:00 remaining on the clock. Pat was in heaven. We high-fived. I taught him a "cool" triple handshake which he immediately modified and took on as his own. Pat's expression was a marvel in loyalty and dedication. "I told you" it said to me. For a moment, my heart soared with exhileration and wonder. Three plays later, Houston scored again. A bitter pill to swallow for the home team. Several of the 5,000 or so people remaining got up to leave. But not Pat. The Cards would come back. The Cards were the best. No one could touch his Cards. Of course, they didn't come back. Louisville moved the ball a bit, but couldn't make it happen in the long run. The Cards lost 22-29. I left in the last two minutes. Pat stayed until the end, a grin on his face and a "Let's Go Cards!" in his gaze. When I first sat down to write this, I was going to start by saying I didn't do anything remotely having to do with writing this weekend . . . ... But now I'm not so sure.  Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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