I just finished reading Gridiron Gold which I enjoyed immensely. The book gives insight in to the history of High School football in the state of Mississippi. Mississippi has arguably produced some of the greatest football players/coaches of all time. Here is a short list of some stories/insight I enjoyed from the book.
How High School football played a huge role in integration- Stories surrounding the University of South Panola. (They currently hold the longest winning streak in the nation)
- Walter Payton running backwards 50 yards for a touchdown.
- Tons of great quotes for coaches. Including some from my old coach on page 81 and 91.
- The role faith and ministry plays in the life of a team
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Several Funny stories:
- School that only had 2 pair of track shoes
- Kids that fumbled because he was holding his concession stand money.
- The kid that asked his coach, during a dramatic part of the game, if he could ride home with his dad.
- A coach going into the opposing teams locker to give them a pep talk.
I’ll end with the pre-game prayer (p. 33) from the legendary coach from East Marion, Les Peters. I’ll never forget hearing Coach Peters pray at an FCA breakfast I attended back in 1990. When he finished I thought to myself, this man knows God personally. Besides his ability to talk with God he also has been known to say some of the most comical things about his football team that a coach can say. So here it is-
Lord, if it’s thy will, make us agile, hostile and mobile. Put that gleam in our eyes, zip in our feet and that determination in our hearts. Let’s go Eagles.
