Motovational Rugby speech

Old School

I like these old rugby photos. They remind me of the tradition and sportsmanship that is the keystone to what makes Rugby such a great sport. While I can agree that the de-amaturization of the sport has made it more competitive and entertaining I fear that it will eventually go the way of the NFL and become the playground of the obnoxious and overpaid. Then again, American Football creates prima donna roles whereas Rugby is a more fluid and integrated sport.

Return to the Pitch

I had not realized how long it has been since I wrote on this blog. Too long I’m afraid. It is not like I haven’t had anything to say about rugby, life, or anything else. It is just like a lot of stuff I do; I put it on a shelf for a while to be pulled down and dusted off for later use. Well, later is now.
I was excited to follow up my inaugural rugby campaign with improved play during the fall season. Unfortunately, I was informed that the team was going to join forces with the Schaumburg Woodsmen out of Schaumburg IL about an hours drive from here. I can understand the logic behind the move. Combining the two teams would mean more skilled talent, greater depth, and more experience per position; thus making us collectively more competitive and hopefully more frequent winners. It would also mean more competition for me, and more importantly, a much longer drive to and from practice. I was not about to drive an hour plus to and from practice to be the second string waterboy. Still, I kept in touch with the team via Facebook and was interested to see how they fared.
It seemed that I was not the only one who had a hard time with the consolidation. A few weeks ago I got word via Facebook that the Gladiators were reconstituting here in North Lake County. We met at our favorite watering hole, Fatman’s, and began the strategic planning. Vinny, Mike, and John took the lead in recruiting and organizing the team; which seems to be a monster task. It felt good to hang out with them again and to be remembered, recognized, and genuinely welcomed. I have moved around so often and have been a homebody when not deployed that I have missed this kind of un-martial camaraderie. Anyway, we sat talked about the plans for the future, watched footage from old games, and had a few beers, of course.
It just so happens that the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament has been playing on the BBC America channel and the 7 Tournament on Universal Sports. This has had the effect of throwing gas on the fire for my desire to get back on the pitch. I am focused on getting stronger and faster in the next month so I can be an active and beneficial participant in this spring’s games. I have learned a lot about the sport and the rules, and I think I am better prepared to play and contribute this go.
My first practice was this Saturday. Although we practiced indoors, it was a cathartic experience. I was back in that euphoric place of playing an exciting sport and enjoying the experience of being a part of a team. I may not become the next Mike Tindall or Jonny Wilkinson but I plan on having my moments. You wait and see.

The catch that got away.

In the 1978 Super Bowl the sure handed TE Jackie Smith dropped an easy toss from Quarterback Roger Staubach thereby costing the Dallas Cowboys 7 points and eventually the Super Bowl. In the 1984 Cotton Bowl Classic Craig Curry dropped a punt with 4:00 minutes remaining which resulted in the Georgia Bulldogs scoring the only touchdown of the game and costing the Texas Longhorns the National Championship. In the 1986 World Series the normally sure handed Bill Buckner watched in horror as a seemingly easy grounder lazily rolled between his legs allowing the NY Mets to rally and eventually win the World Series. In Jan 2010 the New Orleans Saints trailed the Indianapolis Colts at half time. On the ensuing kickoff at the beginning of the 3rd Quarter an on-side kick bounced off the hands of Wide Receiver and Special Teams player Hank Basket setting up the Saints go ahead touchdown. So with this plethora of infamous examples I should feel a bit reprieved and cut myself so slack after I flubbed not 1 or 2 but 3 kicks on Saturday versus the Schamburg Woodsmen.
I played respectably after being inserted as the Left-Wing during the second half. I made a couple of receptions and forwarded the ball aggressively but missed an opportunity to pass. When I finally did make a pass attempt, I launched it over the head of the scrumhalf and in front of the Fly-Half. Luckily, it made a good bounce into the hands of the Fly-Half who moved the ball down the pitch. The weather was miserable and I could excuse the drops on the sleet. snow, rain and cold that accompanied the day; but the fact is I saw the ball clearly, I positioned myself properly, and I watched the ball all the way into and out of my hands. I just plain dropped the damn thing...three times. One of my teammates after the game understated my performance when he said, "Well, at least you know what you need to focus on during next practice." The worse part of the whole affair is that my last flub allowed the Woodsmen to have the ball just inside the 22 meter line. After a couple of plays and a penalty the Woodsmen scored the go-ahead touch. The game ended 5 minutes later after a bench-clearing brawl that was fueled by a frustrated Gladiator team.
The depression, shame, and anger that accompanies a performance like that sucks the fun and thrill of a morning on the pitch. For the first time I did not want to hang out with the fellas after the game at the pub. My shame kept me from wanting to enjoy the camaraderie and sportsmanship that makes rugby a unique and enjoyable experience. I am better than my performance and despite my improvements in speed and handling I feel I have taken a step backwards in the eyes of my teammates. They want to win, I want to win, and I blew it on Saturday.
Granted, like football, rugby games are rarely lost on one play; but one play can set up the momentum that decides a game. I guess it could be expected from a rookie but I am still not satisfied. Still, I did enjoy myself while playing and I will continue to improve. My new goal is to redeem Saturday's fielding performance and show that I can be a contributor to the team rather than a proverbial albatross around their necks.

RUGBY!!!!

Since there was no game this Saturday I needed my Rugby fix. So in lieu of a good story I give some of the most vicious rugby hits I have ever seen. Enjoy!

Rip Van Rookie

I don't want to belabor the age thing but I have to relay an experience I had during practice a few weeks ago. We have practices on Tue and Thur. During a Thur practice a few weeks ago I was warming up with a young flanker on the team. My legs were extremely tight and tired from Tuesday's practice. I told him the difference between being 30 and 40 was that at age 30 it would take we a day to recover from a hard practice, whereas, now it seemed to take me a week. My teammate looked at me and asked "how old are you?" I told him "40". With which he incredulously replied, "Dude, My Dad is 40."
So as I sit here an type with my ankle on ice and my swollen finger gingerly avoiding the keyboard I take comfort in the fact that instead of being the guy making excuses as to why I am too old to try something new, I am out there pushing myself. Maybe 22 years from now he will remember me and try something new, exciting, and challenging.

Well its official- I am the oldest guy on the team. The only two guys that get close are a 39 year old Prop and a 38 year old Centre. Both of these guys have about 20 years of experience to my 1 game. I am kinda proud of the fact that I am treading new ground- I am the fearless, old, crusty warrior with nothing to lose or gain; just doing it for the love of the game. My new purpose in life is to find someone older than me and convince them that Rugby is good for their well-being. There is a VA hospital not far from here...
Carla told me my last post was actually three or four posts crammed together so I will leave you with this last quote from Fight Club as it still applies to Rugby: "You can swallow a pint of blood before you get sick."