FootballStampThere is nothing in the world quite like football here in Brownwood, Texas. My oldest son plays on the JV team and two of my brothers played for the Lions, as well. There is a long standing football tradition here, and we all know that during football season nothing else much matters!

However, as I sat in the stands that Thursday night, a couple of weeks ago, watching my son play against Llano, I found myself intrigued by the behaviors of the people around me. (If you will recall that JV Llano game…you understand how I could be distracted! Our boys whupped them!) I saw several of my students from years past and had a chance to visit. It is always fun to see how they have changed since they were sixth graders in my classroom.

What interested me the most was the technology everywhere. I can remember my own high school days in Brownwood. As a member of the Mighty Maroon Marching Band I was at every game. Every game was crowded and our emotions rose and fell according to the scoreboard. Kids roamed around talking, laughing, eating, guzzling soda, and watching the game. At the games today, however, kids are texting and IM’ing. I actually saw a couple toting their school-issued laptops around. I overheard one saying she was going to open it up to listen to her music or play.

Were we the same way? Did we go to the games for the show or for the socialization? I think it was all a part of the game – the excitement and the chance to hang out with friends went hand in hand. Today’s kids are a little different. Now it is cell phones with a thousand different apps and laptops smaller than the legal pad I use to take notes on. I’m not sure if they watch the game, or if they are too busy texting, but the air of excitement does remain the same.

I wonder if football will ever go high tech? Will boys don virtual reality gear and play their game in a virtual stadium? Will the audience wear special goggles so they can see this virtual game? Or will they be too busy chatting on a cell phone that fits on the head of a pin? With all the technological advances, I must confess I am glad football still holds that same air of excitement and anticipation. The lights and the yells and the whistles blowing as the players push themselves beyond their limits….doesn’t get much better than that.

This fall, I invite you to step out of our technological world and into the crisp, fall evening air and a football stadium. Leave the laptops at home and watch two teams struggle to control the field. Witness the excitement in the boys who dream of playing football when they are old enough; and the boys whose day to play has come and gone. Listen to the band play the fight song and stand up and “holler” when the cheerleaders tell you to. Ring the bells, scream for the defense, yell for the offense, and eat some nachos.

Technology is great and provides wonderful opportunities for our kids. But let’s not mess with football. Try it….you might like it!

Christine Moore currently holds a degree from Howard Payne University and recently earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is now working on her Ph.D. in Educational Technology. Married with four children who attend Brownwood schools, Christine teaches 6th grade reading in Brownwood and has been working in education at various levels for the past 15 years. Christine welcomes your questions and comments and would love to hear from you!