Have I mentioned before that I am living a dream? Yes, I know I have. But, here is how I know: when you are nearly 42 years old, a housewife and mom, and working out with NFL/CFL players. That’s when you know! That’s my life...well...part of my life.

 

 

These young professional athletes may think this is no big deal, but to me, this is amazing and a thrill of a lifetime. It’s just me and these fast, strong men humming through speed and agility drills, and strength and conditioning workouts.

 

 

The first time I showed up at ZOOM, Jim Swieter’s space-age training facility, this nice young man introduced himself and we encouraged each other throughout the workout. Then, it happened….I had one of those ‘fantasy football moments’.

 

 

From a comment our Trainer John made, I realized Ken-Yon was not just any other guy. He was a Buckeye! Holy *%#&*! ‘What is your last name?’, I asked in a very controlled manner. He said, ‘Rambo’.

 

 

Inside I was having a royal conniption, saying ‘Oh my God, this is Rambo, the Wide Receiver for the Buckeyes and for the Cowboys.’ But, I remained totally calm on the outside, ‘I know who you are,’ I said. ‘It is really great to meet you.’ We exchanged Buckeye stories, laughed, but I was FREAKING OUT ON THE INSIDE!!

 

 

After our workout, I immediately called my Dad, a professor at The Ohio State University. I told him I just worked out with Rambo. We reminisced about the days of Rambo from 1997 to 2001. Rambo still holds some Buckeye records.

 

 

When I looked up his bio, he finished eighth on OSU's all-time reception list with 106 career catches and seventh in receiving yards with 1,849. He also set a school record with a 22.9-yard average on 64 kick-off returns. And if that’s not enough, as a senior, Rambo caught a career-high 53 passes. And, my man as a junior earned All-Big Ten honourable mention honours and received the Paul Warfield Award, given to OhioState's top receiver.

 

 

The next week, some guy named AD joined us for a workout. AD introduced himself and asked my position with the Diamonds. At that time, I did not know if I was going to play Cornerback or Safety, so I said both. Boy, I was feeling a little ‘green’ about it since I’ve never played before. I'm such a Rookie!

 

 

AD looked familiar but I could not place him. After finding out that AD was short for Anthony Dorsett, I felt my football fantasy world colliding again with reality. He plays the position I play. ‘Egads’, I thought, ‘I am such a gomer.’

 

 

AD played eight seasons as a safety in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders. He made Super Bowl appearances with both teams. He is the real deal! And, he is Daddy Dorsett’s Son. He followed his Dad, Tony Dorsett, to Pitt and then became one of the few father-son teams to make appearances in a Super Bowl.

 

 

After returning to regular breathing mode, I shortly realized these two guys were just men training hard and doing their thing, just like me. I’m sure they’ve had their gomer moments, learned some stuff the hard way, and one had to live under the shadow of a big football legend. They have persevered in the sport we all love…FOOTBALL!

 

 

I feel honored to have met and worked out with AD and Ken-Yon. Their hearts are golden for the people who cross their path. Thankfully, I am one of them. Their sense of humor is invigorating along with the rest of this posse you see in the picture. They make the workouts fun and something to look forward to each week.

 

 

More than that, these guys are great cheerleaders for me. Along with our ZOOM Trainers, John, Maegan, and Chris, they have taught me a number of things about my position, working hard, and not giving up on the dream. Ken-Yon told me this week, I ‘was part of the family’. Wow!

 

 

Tune in next time and I’ll tell what it is like to line up against these guys and run some drills. Plus I’ll introduce you to the rest of the posse and our great ZOOM Trainers.

 

 

Visit www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com for tickets and Diamonds information. Our next home game is Saturday, May 17^th at 7:00pm at Pennington Field against the Iowa Crush.

 

 

Check out www.zoomsports.net for more information on ZOOM sports performance training

 

 

Subscribe to this blog at www.neighborsgo.com/blog/footballcheck

 

 

Stay inspired and get moving,

 

 

Kip #45

 

“Mom, you did great standing on the sideline tonight,”  - my daughter’s first words to me after the game Saturday night. She has such heart-warming thoughts, don’t you think?

 

 

We faced a tough competitor in the Atlanta Xplosion, the 2006 IWFL Champions. We did win 37-14. They were the first team to score against us this year.

 

 

I knew going into the game, the first string would stay in unless injured. Val Murawka #81, the first string Safety, stood strong throughout the game and defected several passes and made some key tackles.

 

 

As second string Safety, staying on the sideline was tough! I admit, I wanted to play, darn it! I prepared to play staying up Friday night reviewing game film to make sure I understood this opponent. I was nervous as hell and I wanted to make sure I had done all I could do to be ready...just in case.

 

 

But, it was not meant to be. So, I’ve thought long a hard about what to write. Thus, here is my Top 10 List of Benefits of Being on the Sideline:

 

 

#10 You can sneak a wave ‘hello’ to your family without getting in trouble from Coach

 

 

#9 You don’t have to cram down food at half-time trying to regain energy lost during the first half action

 

 

#8 You don’t stink nearly as bad as you do when you play

 

 

#7 You are less sore the next day than your teammates because you did not get hit nor did you deliver any hits

 

 

#6 You can be the designated driver at the after-game party…only those who got hit or delivered hits need the sedatives and pain relief

 

 

#5 You can raise your arms and get the crowd involved when the defense needs some extra adrenaline, “come on defense….hit somebody!”

 

#4 You get to provide lots of encouragement, support, and ‘good job’ hits on your teammates who are gutting it out on the gridiron protecting your body from bruising, broken bones, twisted ankles, busted knees, dislocated shoulders, swollen hands, tweaked fingers, etc…

 

 

#3 No need to clean your uniform for the next game

 

 

#2 Continue to learn from your teammates so you can perform next time you are called to do so

 

 

#1 Being a team player no matter what that means

 

 

Our next home game is May 17^th at Pennington Field in Bedford.

 

 

Check out www.dallasdiamondfootball.com for more information

 

 

See The Coach Hughes Show on www.ustreamtv

 

 

And for the latest on the IWFL standings and stats visit www.iwflsports.com

 

 

Stay inspired and get moving,

 

 

Kip #45

 

 

 

 

 

Two years ago, I quit my long time job as a Counselor. For 12 years I helped put individuals and families back together from the destruction of chemical dependency and eating disorders. My career as an LPC was doing well and I was enjoying speaking to various schools, churches, and other organizations as well.

 

But, I was missing out.... no, I wasn’t missing more income, friends, or even football. And, of course, that big long ‘to do’ list was there no matter what my circumstances.

 

I was missing out cultivating memories with my kids and family. Memories that instill values and a sense of importance and love.

 

I thought I would miss working, but quitting the best decision I ever made. No, I am not the ‘super mom’….my house is far from clean all the time, in fact, most of the time it needs to be cleaned. There is always a pile of laundry waiting for me, I’ve occasionally paid a bill late, I can’t get my car in the garage because it needs to be purged and organized, and let’s not even discuss my yard situation. Just know I did not get written up by the Home Owner’s Association this year!

 

What I have now, though, and hope to continue are memories that will last a lifetime. My kids may see their home is not always the most in order, but they’ve learned they play a role in helping it get clean. My kids will not get everything they want like a PlayStation or 35 Webkinz, but they will have great memories of ‘special dates’ with Mom and Dad. They will know we want to spend time with them bowling, getting matching outfits, trips to Ohio, playing outside, or just sitting at Starbucks hearing what their goals and dreams are for the future.

 

Right now, my daughter’s dream is to swim! She hopes to follow in the footsteps of Jennie Thompson and go to the Olympics. Right now she swims nearly everyday. I’m right there watching her.

 

My son is a lot like me. He wants to play ball! Right now he is playing baseball and just won the team game ball last week. In the Fall, he will hit the gridiron.

 

And during these two years, my husband has made his dream come true in creating and building his own company. In just two years he has gone from the front room in our house to his own offices with three employees. He works with the biggest corporations in America. He is making an impact and changing the training industry. www.getbeyondroi.com

 

While I don’t get paid a cent for any of that, it is all worth my time and effort. There is nothing more powerful and meaningful than building into and impacting the ones you love. Most of the time, it is simply providing the one cooked meal for the day when everyone can sit down and talk.

 

Oh, by the way. we beat the New Mexico Menace 91-0 Saturday night. Some of you may think I buried the lead….I did not. My priorities hopefully remain the same. More on the game next time.

 

www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com

www.iwflsports.com  for more on the league. stats, and our opponents

 

Stay inspired and get moving!

 

Kip #45 

 

 

My appetite for a good thing overtook me today. Enslaved by fatigue, today I hit a wall. Fatigue set into the my bones, joints, muscles…my entire body! Everything in my mind said keep going, but my body just could not. Perfectly good activities got me into trouble. Failing to practice moderation, my appetite for learning football, perfecting my position, and maintaining my strength, left me starved for rest. Ok…and I don’t think 24 hours on a bus to New Mexico over the weekend for our game against The Menace helped my situation. We got on the bus at 9:00pm Friday, drove all night, arrived at 10:30am. We slept about three and half hours, played our game, got right back on the bus. We drove all night and arrived home Sunday around 11:00am. What about sleeping on the bus? Have you tried that? NOT! Maybe, I got about an hour both coming and going. So, let’s just say I felt hammered Monday morning when my workout routine for the week started again. (I’ll share more about workouts in a later issue.) At nearly 42 years old, my body does not recover as easily with a lack of sleep and a perfectionistic drive to physically excel. I need more time to rest than my teammates in their 20’s and 30’s. While my workouts keep me young, the reality is I am in mid-life. ‘Kip’, I can hear God saying, ‘you have to take a day of rest!’ Here is where I fell into temptation: we face the Atlanta Xplosion this week and I still feel very ‘green’ in my Safety position as a Rookie. I don’t want to screw up! I don’t want to let my team down when called upon to play. Coach Hughes calls this IWFL Game of the Week the ‘Championship Game’. The Xplosion won the Title in 2006. The tone of practice turned very serious this week as we prepare. I did not want to let up on myself. I kept all my workouts on the schedule and maintained my family commitments. My body said otherwise. Imagine my relief when practice was cancelled tonight due to the weather. God knew I needed rest and a good night’s sleep! I would say lesson learned, but it is probably more honest to say lesson learning: If I allow my appetite for good things like workouts and staying up too late doing laundry, cleaning, and writing blogs, then I risk being ill-prepared instead of prepared. I actually create that which I am trying to avoid. I will fail instead of succeed. Please note: if any of you have figured out the Balanced Life thing, drop me a comment and let me know! Thanks! I’m off to bed now. Stay inspired and rest when needed! Visit www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com for more information on this week’s game against the Atlanta Xplosion! Game time is 7:00pm Saturday night at Pennington Field Kip #45

I walked in. I scanned the locker room…where is it? It was there waiting for me…then, I saw it in all it's purple and white glory, #45 “Watson” written across the top. Holy Cow…I’m about to play football! It was an emotional moment for me. I took a picture. Actually, I took several of myself and my best friend Holly even though I was discouraged from doing that. You see the locker room is a sacred place. I know that. And, while I did not want to disturb that privacy, I had to take a few clicks to remember the moment I first saw my jersey so I can tell my Grandkids one day about opening night 2008. On the field, the Diamonds displayed total domination over the Kansas City Tribe with 512 yards of offense including 8 touchdowns and one field goal ending with 58-0 shutout. One of the stand-out players of the game was a fellow defensive back, Alberta Fitcheard-Brydson (#24) who missed the 2007 season to give birth to her second daughter. Saturday, she certainly made a statement during her debut back on the gridiron. She had 2 interceptions on the night, running the first one back for a touchdown. She also made 4 solo tackles. Thus, she was presented the game ball by Head Coach Todd Hughes at the end of the game as a reward for her efforts. Look out for her to be a huge defensive factor this year. For more of the details on the game look for the “Diamonds Disband Tribe” story posted on the Dallas Morning News Neighborsgo website. And, review The Coach Hughes Show on www.ustream.tv . Search Dallas Diamonds and you’ll find it along with the game broadcast. My playing time came in the 3rd and 4th quarters. What an adrenaline rush! What an amazing feeling to fulfill a family dream of women who desired to play football but had no outlet to do so! Clearly, I have more work to do and experience to gain out there on the field. One thing I have learned is you cannot be dumb and play football. It requires quick analysis, instant adjustment, specialized skills and strength, and a memory of who goes where…when…and how. And, this is definitely a team sport. Teams win and lose as a team. Hence, football also requires cooperation, collaboration, unity, clear communication, encouragement, constructive criticism, self-control, humility, and yet a confidence without arrogance. It is those kinds of qualities I pictured in my head when I picked number #45. Have you ever seen the movie ‘Rudy’? Rudy is a guy who did not let his lack of skill nor negative feedback keep him from achieving his dream to play football for Notre Dame. He had a heart and passion for football driving him to do whatever it took to be better and make his team better. Sometimes the most skilled athletes do not make the best players because their hearts are not in the right place for the team. Every Coach wishes for the right heart combined with great skill. I admit, I need a little more skill and experience. It will come! Archie Griffin, #45 for The Ohio State Buckeyes and back to back Heisman Trophy winner also inspired me to pick #45. He has done more off the field than on the field for football, Ohio State Athletics, and his community. He is a solid role model and leader, and the kind of athlete, friend, and person worth emulating. And since I bleed Scarlet and Gray, I cannot think of a better number to wear! www.dallasdiamondsfootball..com Stay inspired and get moving, Kip #45

What do you do the night before the first time you play football for real...for money...in front of people who actually pay to watch you play?

I don't have a flipp'n clue what the NFL guys do, but here is what I did...

• Bought a big t-shirt that says "I'm ready to hit somebody"
• Spent money I don't have on a new skull cap, turf shoes for later use, cleats for later use, socks, a trendy shirt, and quite a bit a Gap Kids for my kids! I like to call that 'shopping therapy'
• Ate a great meal at the Abbey in Frisco....best homecooked food for the price...good and healthy options!
• Sat in the hot tub with my best friend, husband, and kids
• Watched an inspirational movie about football...this time it was Invincible! What a great story of determination, using something negative to fuel a dream, and to not give up or walk away because they say you are too old
• Caught up on email, the latest at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com
• and, watched the "helpless housewife tackle the footballchick"...that hand scheduling thing, well, someone had to stop her and help her find a new way
• Prayed!

Game time is actually here. I am not as nervous as I thought I would be, but I am sensing it build! Last night at practice we had our finally run through of the game plan, special teams. And, for rookies, we learned the traditions we are about to engage in for the first time as we face the Kansas City Tribe at Pennington Field.

At nearly 42, am not supposed to be here, but I am. Anything is possible! Let's play some ball!!

 See you at the game!

Kip #45

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:16 pm    Post subject: This is America and I can http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/Brutp,EZbqC,9f4StK.9TopJ178WRS8Z