Sideline Shadows

For a couple of Jaylin’s football games this season (so far), I have helped out with the chains on the sidelines. Such a position has its good points and its bad points. But most of them are good.

On the good side:

• You get a better-than-front-row seat for the game. You are right up there next to the action. Unless it is something like 3rd and 20, everything is happening right there in front of you.
• You get to hear what the coaches are saying. During one game, when things weren’t going our way, one of the players said to one of the coaches, “Hey, Coach?” The coach barked back, “WHAT?” The player said, “Um, never mind.” Of course, the coach laughed about it after that. But it is interesting to hear what all goes on.
• You don’t have to worry about someone being in your way. Unless it is one of the referees. Everyone else is behind you.
• You really get to watch the game. Of course, that means that you have to really be paying attention to the game, to know when you are supposed to move. The referees do tell you when to go, but it is easier if you are already expecting it. That usually isn’t a problem for me.

On the bad side:

• You have to stand up the whole game. While most everyone else is sitting in chairs or on bleachers. But that really isn’t a problem, because I have been known to walk down the field to where the action is to get a better view, anyway.
• You don’t get to take photos. Managing a camera and the chain pole would just be too much. Besides, you have to be ready to drop your pole if the action comes your way, and you may not be able to realize that as much while watching through a viewfinder.

Overall, I think the good definitely outweighs the bad here. And besides, I did find a moment between plays to pull out my phone and take this cool photo.

Of course, I am not quite as tall as my shadow makes me look.