With the start of the NFL season looming, I found myself looking back on the night of October 7^th of last year. There are some events and some assignments that take on a higher meaning for me personally, and Oct. 7 2018 was very important to me as the Houston Texans hosted the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. On paper, it was a crucial game for two teams looking to take positive steps in their seasons. But for myself, it was a chance to honor someone very special to me. On the night of October 5 1992, my maternal grandfather passed away watching his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. It was a passing that has stayed with me, and I promised myself that I would take full advantage of shooting a Cowboys game if the opportunity presented itself, especially if they faced off against the Texans.

The atmosphere during the game was electric as fans of both sides cheered loudly for their teams. But as far as the game itself, it was a bit of trench warfare between the two teams as both defenses reigned. Despite their prodigious talents, both quarterbacks (Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott) found it hard to move the ball at times. Eventually the game went into overtime, and in the extra session, a pass completion and whirlish maneuver by Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins resulted in a 49-yard gain upfield. Once well within field goal range, Houston kicker Kaimi Fairbairn ended the contest with a 36-yard field goal to win the game for the Texans, 19-16.  

Afterwards, I was ambivalent towards the final score and the game itself, but I was just thankful for the opportunity to be at THAT game. And as sappy and overly-emotional as it sounds, I do feel like my grandfather would have been proud of me for shooting his favorite team, up close and personal. I guess the point of this entry is to say that regardless of family or just very close friends, never forget why you do what you do in life, and who it’s for.