Christopher and Captain Imperfecto at the pre-flag meeting on the Hard Rock Stadium field. October 14, 2018
November 30, 2018
"Can you get a little closer, please? Come on folks, can you just squeeze in there and fill all the gaps. There are many people here. I don't have a bullhorn, as you can see".
My son and I were invited to pull the giant American flag across the football field during a Miami Dolphins game. A true honor for me as a lifelong fan and one hell of an experience for Christopher, my 9-year-old son.
The gentleman speaking to us was on the half portion of one of several spiral walkways that usually can hold about 500 people in segments as they enter and leave the stadium.
As he told us the rules, I listened intensely. Christopher sat there on a golf cart, mimicking a race car. He seemed very interested.
· no opposing team gear!
· No running with your phones because it could be gone forever if it falls on the field.
· No cussing
· No fraternization with the players
· And if you are a flag puller. Well, run, run, run towards the other sideline while the flag unfolds.
After our pre-game pep talk, which was tailor-made for any Hollywood movie, We waited around for our moment to take the field inside the tunnel and inside the bowels of the football stadium. The roars of the crowd and the intensity of the music began to percolate the adrenaline from within both of me and Christopher. Just give me a uniform, and I'll take the field against the opposing team!
About 300 of us take a position along the inner walls of the stadium. Sitting right above us was only about 10,000 fans.
"Pop off the bungee cords, please. And hold on to that flag! "
We all grabbed a section of the 100-yard flag. The material snaked along the walls and was wrapped in an outer carrier.
I heaved my little portion of the flag and stood there eagerly awaiting to enter the field. Christopher, on the other hand well, was bored. He sat by my feet and waited for us to move.
As members of the Miami Dolphins staff walked the line to ensure everyone was in a good spot, one young man stopped before me. He stared at me and then Christopher.
"Sir, if you're pulling the flag, you may want to be a holder. We will run fast. Your son may not be able to keep up. If he falls. He'll have to stay down as the flag stretches out and run under it afterward to get out. It's so large that he may not come out at the right spot or get lost."
I heard every word he said. However, I stood there so long holding my portion of the flag. My blood flow to my brain was constricting my hearing, and I could only muster a smile and a nod to acknowledge his concerns.
Before I could decide, without any warning, the other flag holders in front of us were walking on the field. The flag lurched forward. And like an attached train car, I was mercilessly trying to stop it. Never thinking of letting go, I went with the flow and walked to the tunnel and onto the football field.
As a regular Joe Blow with no affiliation to the National Football League, I was awestruck by the energy field on the field. I can only imagine what it is like for a player to step out onto that field with the roar of a crowd.
The music was reverberating off the walls. The fans were pumping their fists. Stadium personnel were swarming around like worker bees in a hive. The stadium announcer announced, "Let's give it up to our Miami Dolphins cheerleaders!" Christopher's reaction? "Dad, stop with the pictures."
We lined up along the opposing team's sideline. Those Chicago Bears players stalked the field, ready to play. I stood toe-to-toe with them but understood that even though I was a Miami Dolphins fan, I had better let the real team handle the football business.
The field staff announced," Phones down! Get ready to run!"
I held on to the strap and leaned forward. I would run north to the south at the Miami Dolphins player sideline. "GO!"
I shot out the gate like a thoroughbred horse. All 100 of us took off as fast as we could.
"Daddy, Daddy, Christopher yelled. I wanna pull, too!"
He turned to grab a hold but stumbled and fell to the ground.
The flag encroached like a rogue wave, ready to engulf him. But using my arm like the claw of an eagle plunging into the ocean, I reached down, plucked him from the green field, and launched him forward well ahead of the pack.
"Run!" I shouted
Christopher turned and ran as fast as his little legs could take him. The crowd roared as if he was breaking through towards the end zone! The giant American flag draped the field and covered all the green like an anthill being kicked over.
Christopher faced the all-pro running back Frank Gore, who stood on the sidelines waiting for the national anthem. Like a linebacker, Christopher locked in on him and charged right at him. But Frank Gore did not move. As the flag straightened and began to go taut, Christopher continued running onto the Miami Dolphins sideline, mingling with the players. I looked back and marveled. This could be the closest he ever gets to experiencing life as a player. It was good to be a flag bearer.
925 words
Nico (front) and Christopher enjoying the hot tub on a cold Florida evening. November 25, 2018.
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