4 Hard Downs: Swim Meet, New Kickoff Wrinkle Plus Some Memorabilia

Justin Reid makes sense, I went to my mom's house and was I'm the "Clerk of Course" for the first meet

I didn’t know what “Clerk of Course” was for a swim meet. I’ve been to the county clerk. I’ve been to a magistrate. That was all about me either getting married or trying to not go to jail for a fight in college, respectively.

Swimming has a clerk of course and I did it last night.

It was a full ass Monday to end the school year because we have Field Day, Swim Meet, HITD Record and dinner.

So let’s hit the ground running and SPOT THE BALL!!!

1st Down: My Kid Crushed

This was her first ever competitive thing that she wants to engage with. Basketball was a nightmare because the other kids didn’t listen, they were super aggressive and she just wanted to learn. Swim is a thing she’s done since 2019 and is very confident in her skills; including helping friends get more comfortable going off the diving board and swimming laps.

Obviously, I have a job at the meet, but I have two jobs, because I’ve got to pack the cooler. My snack list, to start the season:

Body Armor Lyte Peach Mango
Salami
Fruit Bars
Popcorn
Waters

How long does this thing last? 70 races. My parents came and then left. My wife was convinced we will leave when my kid is done, as the clerk of course, I could not leave; they left, I took an Uber home.

I have been to a million track meets, I hate them. I have been to many swim meets, which is what happens when you date a swimmer, they also go on forever with so much downtime and races you don’t care about, except as the clerk, you gotta make sure everyone is lined up.

However, I am ready for my kid to get that dog in her and if it comes via swimming, LFG!!!!

And she did. Got two ribbons, won her heat of the butterfly against kids two years older than her and so again, LFG!!!!

2nd Down: Got Some Felder Memorabilia

I went to my mom’s house for Sunday morning. I did not dig a hole for her gifted by me fig tree, we just hung out. My kid got to see some of my art from elementary and middle school, including a pitcher that I made including a handle, firing, glazing and painting and it even has a lid.

But the key here?

My kid got to realize I have a shitload of trophies and sports memorabilia.

Not including the too tall trophies

I left the trophies at my mom’s but I did bring back this:

Shout out Mathias Kiwanuka who crushed in that game

It has not been touched since I brought it home in 2004, got it pumped up and shout out to the 04 Heels!!

3rd Down: Why Not Use A Real Football Player To Kickoff

The Justin Reid discussion is amazing to me.

Yes, have a field goal guy. Yes, have a punter (bonus points if you can get you one who can do both).

But why not have a guy who can actually play football do this new kickoff so that you have 11 players and not 10 in the new format?

He can’t cross the 50 until the ball is caught or hits the ground, but he’s also actually fast and can probably save your ass better. Be it an LB, RB, TE, S, CB; you have a better chance if the guy breaks contain or people get blocked than with a kicker.

I think it is a good idea. There are so many guys who had to kick for their high school and obviously Reid is a proven example, 11 vs 10 is better. And I say 11 vs 10 because the goal is for 11 to tackle 1, the kick returner, 10 guys try to stop him from getting tackled.

4th Down: Buy Tickets!!

Shout to my guy Demetri Ravanos, first and foremost.

Tickets are for sale and the show goes August 24th, Week Zero if you will. The OGs are going to kick it off. Then Hand in the Dirt. Then you get the headliners, The Shut Down Fullcast.

Buy these damn tickets.

We are working on our online store for HITD merch and if you want stickers hit the email at hitdpod@gmail.com.

So…

Cheers!!!