Are you ready for some football?!?!

Well, I must take a detour from blogging about running today to "tackle" another topic.
Anybody that knows me is well aware of my fascination (perhaps obsession) with football. I come from a football family. My Dad was a high school football coach and complied a .728 winning percentage on his way to becoming a member of the Haddon Twp High School Hall of Fame, the South Jersey Coaches Football Hall of Fame and New Jersey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. For better or worse, my Dad’s games were the centerpiece of each fall for my sisters, my Mom and I. I had the absolute privilege and honor to play football for my Dad’s team at Haddon Twp. in the early 80’s. My son Gavin has played in the Haddon Twp. Hawks youth football program for the last five years while one of his teams went undefeated. To say that Haddon Twp. football and the Curley family have been intertwined since the mid 70’s may be a bit of an understatement. The day my daughter Faith was born, my son Gavin and I had spent the morning watching a Haddon Twp football game. Well, today a new chapter begins between Hawks football and the Curley family as my daughter Faith becomes the first girl to play football for Haddon Twp. Faith (on her own account) has decided she wants to play on the 60 lb. and under team. This is not a flag football or touch league. Faith will be in full helmet and pads on a 100 yard field. My wife Patrice and I have always told our kids that they can do and try anything they want. When Faith approached us to request to play football, her argument was "girls can do anything boys can do." If you know my wife even a little bit, you know this is basically the Gospel According to Patrice. Faith’s team will be compiled of five and six year kids and her coaches (who put the emphasis on having fun) are thrilled to have her on the team. Faith will most likely face a number of challenges this year, but for the most part, I’m sure she’ll enjoy the experience.
Faith, your parents and brother couldn’t love you more or be more proud of you.