Monday, December 20, 2010

I have grown up with a story that I have been so proud of and ultimately has made me a long time BYU Cougar fan.

The story goes that my dad was listening to the 1980 Holiday Bowl on the radio. BYU was playing SMU and the Y was getting thumped. I was 9 months old and things were not going well for me. I like to think that I was upset with the game but my parents will tell you that I was just fussy and possibly colicky. My dad took me over next to the radio and laid down and then laid me on his stomach. We laid there listening to the game while he tried to calm me down. Late in the 4th quarter BYU started making a comeback, and in the end a Hail Mary from Jim McMahon to Clay Brown won the "Miracle Bowl".

Growing up I have always thought that this is where the love for BYU started. It is the reason that I looked up to guys like Peter Tuipulotu and Chad Lewis. It was what drove me to walk the entire stadium picking up LaVell Edwards collector cups after a game. It is the start of my love, and mostly craziness, about BYU Football. This moment, listening to one of the greatest games in BYU history with my dad.

On Saturday December 18th 2010 I kept that story alive. BYU was not losing, in fact they were winning by so much that I was able to sit down for a change. At half time Becky put David to sleep and then told me that she needed to go to the store and that she was going to take Audrey with her. Just a few minutes after Becky left David started to cry. I picked him up and held him and he settled right down. I put back down and he started to cry again. I immediately thought of this story that has brought me so much pride over the years. I picked him back up and he settled down and went to sleep as I we watched the game together...father and son.

The score wasn't the same, the game wasn't the same but the outcome between a father and son remains intact in this TRUE BLUE BYU story.

3 comments:

The Henriksons said...

Sweet!! Millie

The VIPs said...

I love that you love our son.

(maybe even as much as BYU football? : )

themechams said...

I love this. Now I know it's not football but a few weeks ago Doug and I were having a Bishopric Christmas dinner at our house and the phone rang. I picked it up and the person on the other end says, "Hi this is Coach Matt Schneck of the BYU lacrosse team. Is Joey home?" Woo Hoo!!!!!