BEHIND THE LENS - December 7, 2007 -

Football Stars For Tomorrow - www.storkmontgomery.com

The Past
Friendships
Goodbye

It's been a different kind of second trip as we approach Saturday...time now 7:25 p.m. on Friday night. I don't normally write this late, but my mind has had so many mixed emotions and past memories. I've got three topics, let's roll.

The Past
When I first got in to what I am doing, I did not really know where all this would take me. You have to imagine, this all started with youth football. From my vision of ideas in 1998 until the present moment, it has been an extreme learning experience. An experience from the past, where I learned how to do what it is that I do, which is capture the video on Friday night.

Just like these kids, they learned how to line up and take a snap, block, catch passes and grow up. I was taking my hits learning how to get them on film. We both grew together. I can still remember first seeing Sonny Gray on film. I can remember when he played at Austin Peay at the all star game. I can remember walking into Rod and Marsalous' house for the first time and saying "We're going to a combine, let's go".

I've met some wonderful people along the way. But each and every moment I look back upon, I always had Tyler, Sonny and Rod. I know from the videos in my library, the memories will never fade. But as I press record next season, I will realize a part of my past has died. I will never be this emotionally close to a group of young men.

Okay, put your tissue...let's move on to the next topic.

Friendships
Friendships are all about trust.

I should know that anybody who has read all the BTL's and has watched each player's video, we have been real close to the pulse of their lives.

The friendships you make from playing football are different from any other sport. I mean, heck, with golf you are all by yourself. With Tennis you are all by yourself until you play doubles. Cross country it is just you and your legs...been there done that. With Basketball there are five, but with a couple of players out of five, you can still win games. Baseball, little bit of "D" and a 94 m.p.h pitcher you can win a lot of ball games..."Slingin' Sonny Gray". But when it comes to football, it is the hardest, most popularly televised and embellished sport here in America. The second biggest event we watch is the NFL draft. The first, of course is the Super Bowl.

You have to have a tight bonding friendship with all your teammates in order to play this sport. There is no possible way you can be a loner and a teammate. The more games you play together, the tighter the bond. You begin to know where each other is and where each other goes. Your pats on the backs, your hand to pick a teammate up of the ground, or to give a ride home after practice becomes a conversation of friends talking about a game they all love to play. That's high school football and friendships. They all watch the big guys on Saturday and Sunday and dream about being there only to realize they are there for the second time around...

Whatever you do after tonight guys, remember all the moments you had together and the bond of fellowship that you developed through playing this sport.

Goodbye
Many of you know that Tyler, Sonny and Rod have ridden this ride with me from start until now. Tomorrow night will be the last time I film the three on the same field wearing the same uniform.

It started in middle school and it ends here. No, it's not goodbye from a support, life...blah, blah, blah...it's goodbye for the final cut. I probably have over 70 games on tape of you three playing together. We've won and we've lost and believe you me, at times I remember the losses better than the wins, but man we've had fun.

And each and every time you have blocked, punted, passed, kicked and ran (of course scored), I got it all. The best part about it is you shared yourself, your emotions and your life with me through it all. Thanks.

That's A Wrap
Well, tomorrow night we head to Floyd stadium over at the campus of MTSU.

To those of you that don't know, I'm scared of heights. Press boxes never have bothered me. I can walk over to the edge and look down and be alright. But put me up at the top of the stadium, it's a little different. Oh well...my eyes will be focused on the game.

I think it would be hard to give shout or a yell to me if you actually saw me at the top. But if you catch me going toward there don't ever forget to say "Hi".

Go Dogs Go!

God bless and Take Care.

From Behind The Lens.
The Stork
“A man who truly delivers”

Football Stars For Tomorrow - www.storkmontgomery.com