As I prepare to watch Super Bowl 47 with my three boys, I am suddenly thrown into a world of thoughts, catching a glimpse into my future.
Do all little boys dream of playing in the super bowl? Probably not. Do my boys dream of playing in the super bowl....absolutely! Before the game even started today, Owen said "I will play in the Super Bowl" - not I might or maybe I will...I WILL......he's only two.....dream early, dream big little one! Shoot for the moon, even if you fall, you will land among the stars! Or, just run around the living room kicking fake footballs and catching fake touchdown passes....you gotta start someone!
Now, I will state in advance that all of this is HIGHLY unlikely...but, in two recent examples I can think of two mothers who hearts are pulled in so many different directions as they cheer for their children. I don't actually believe that my two boys will play in any big championship games....but, do you think their parents ever thought that either? Dream big....Mommy can dream too!
Yes, the fact that brothers are coaching in the Super Bowl has possibly been overplayed.....but, really, can you imagine being the mother (or father) of two boys who have been successful enough to raise to the highest level in football and coach in one of the world's greatest games. As I look at my two sweet boys, snuggled up on the couch with their daddy (and currently, standing with their hand over their heart for America the Beautiful and the National Anthem), I can't help but wonder how in the world a mother could contain her nerves for such a big night....two of your children, competing AGAINST each other for all the world to see! The pressure!
I am quick to think of the Zeller family....Mama and Papa Zeller have raised THREE boys....three boys who have played on the highest stage of college basketball. Their oldest played at Notre Dame (and would have played against Tyler in the Maui Invitational had he not be injured). Their middle son played at UNC and won a National Championship in 2009 (thank.you.very.much!). Their youngest son is by far the very best and is currently dominating the basketball world at Indiana....DOMINATING...and I will go ahead and call it, he will win a National Championship in 2013...bet on it!! These parents have had to figure out how to juggle three boys playing basketball....but, not exactly on the biggest stage...yet, I guess at some point they could meet in an NBA final game.
Thanks to the Zellers, I know what I would do if my boys ever meet as opposing teams....the infamous split down the middle shirts...I wasn't a fan at the time, but now that the stakes are higher, with brothers coaching the super bowl, I can't think of anything I would rather wear!
I included the below article because it sums it up well...I especially like that Tyler says they like Cody better. Probably not true, but hilarious!
Wednesday night, their parents will be tested on how quickly they can navigate I-40.
As timing would have it, freshman Cody’s
Indiana Hoosiers will face NC State in Raleigh, N.C. at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. About 2 hours, 15 minutes later, senior Tyler’s fifth-ranked
North Carolina Tar Heels will tip off against seventh-ranked Wisconsin in Chapel Hill, N.C.
After an 11-hour drive from Washington, Ind., Tuesday, Lorri and Steve Zeller are determined to see both sons in both games, even though they are being played about 23 miles (and roughly a 30-minute drive) away from each other.
“No, we don’t know any good back roads -- we’re just hoping to plug in the GPS, click ‘fastest route,’ and go,’’ Lorri said in a telephone interview, laughing.
Things might have been a bit easier, driving-wise, had the scheduling gurus opted to pit the 7-foot brothers against each other, although Lorri was glad they didn’t.
“When we found out about this week, and how close they’d be playing each other, we were excited, because it meant we’d be able to see both of them -- although it would have been nice if one was playing Tuesday and the other Wednesday,” she said.
As it is, the Zellers are hoping for a quick early game -- with enough of a winning margin so they can slip out of Raleigh’s RBC Center early. Depending on traffic (and parking availability), they figure they might not make it to the Smith Center in Chapel Hill by tipoff, but they hope it won't be too long after.
Tyler grinned recently at the notion, curious about how close his parents planned to cut it.
“It will be interesting to see if they leave his [Cody’s] game early, or show up for my game late,’’ he quipped, starting to laugh. “... They’ll probably stay at his game, they like him more. I’ve accepted that over my years.” Actually, in order not to play favorites (and to not lose precious traveling time in order to change), the Zellers will be wearing specially-made shirts for the occasion: one half printed with North Carolina’s logo, the other half with Indiana’s.
They’re somewhat similar in design to the tops they wore in Maui during Tyler’s freshman season -- when he would have played against his older brother Luke (a starter for Notre Dame at the time), had he not been injured.
“We’re basketball junkies, so watching all of our sons has been a lot of fun,’’ Lorri said. “... [Wednesday] will be a challenge, but it’s a good challenge to have.”
Robbi Pickeral can be reached at bylinerp@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at @bylinerp.
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The game has started so I'll have to finish up quickly....my boys are sports lovers....I don't know if they will be players or coaches or managers or just avid fans....or, they may choose to play in the pep band....or be "cheer-weeders" as Owen says. I don't know that they will pick the same sport...one may like basketball while the other chooses football. No matter what, I see my future holding many nights at practice, many stressful games, a few buzzer beaters, a few tears and lots of smiles. I will be that mom. I will wear my "Mother of #__" shirt (just so those around me know they better not talk junk about MY kid). I will be there for it all. Should they make it on to the next levels, I'll count my blessing and send them on their way....college....I'll be there too...and I'll be like the crazy Zeller's burning up the roads from one school to another and changing out my shirt colors every few years.
Should their little boy dreams come true, and should they be one of the very few who makes it on to professional sports, I will be there too. I will still be that crazy Mom. If they ever play against each other, I will pray, and I will cheer loudly for both boys....because as stressful as it may be to have two kids competing against each other, how awesome must it feel for a parent to know that they made it all possible....all the way back to the afternoons outside with imaginary t-ball games, football games and buzzer beating 3-pointers, to all the practices and games....even when others said you were crazy to let sports rule your life :).....to all the scraped knees, tears, smiles, pep talks and tough decisions....from all the countless hours you spent racing from work to games, hours you spent sitting in gym, when other friends spent vacations on vacation and you spent vacation at "nationals" or championship games......how awesome would it be to know that all of your hard work paid off at the highest level on the world's greatest stage. How amazing!
With all that said, if my boys never make it past t-ball or fast start soccer or flag football, it is still worth it! We have already had enough smiles, high fives and chest bumps to make our world go round!
Ahhhh, the life of a mom of boys! I can't wait to see what unfolds with these sports loving boys - no matter what the future holds, this Mama will be their biggest cheer-weeder of all!!
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