The Story of One Very Bad Day

The alarm clock sounded, the same song as always. He threw off the covers, butterflies floated from his stomach all the way to his toes and tingled with excitement. He ran his fingers threw his gray hair and started getting ready for the day. Everything was normal - the shower, his breakfast, and kisses with his wife as he left for the office. It was a quick drive through the small town, but he smiled with pride on this exciting day. He parked, stepped out of car and stared at his office. Large, clean and empty at this moment. He went inside to his desk, looked over notes, made some calls, by the time he talked to reporters - the screaming fans had surrounded his office building. Oh, he was a celebrity now!!

It was finally time for the big meeting. He walked into the large room filled with the young men. He patted shoulders, and shouted encouragement as he approached the podium. Yes, he could smell it. The testosterone, the sweat and the win they had worked so hard to achieve. They reviewed lessons, talked some strategy, and then shouted, “It is Time!!”

He and his men ran down the long hallway, they all touched the ceremonial stone and ran out into the green office. Thousands of screaming fans had worked themselves into frenzy!! Young and old fans screamed at the rock stars of the field – he and his men ran to their side of the field. They all took their positions and the old man was happy. This was supposed to be their day. Here and now - they could prove themselves worthy of the fame they achieved. The whistle blew and the game began and the old man did everything he could to stay in control. His mighty defensive team roared against the orange offense, and managed to hold them off – but his offense was a sad story. The main man, the legendary brother, the media favorite, choked, - he fumbled, threw bad passes, and drowned in a very large pool of football shame.

The old man stood fast. He continued to call play after play, but the defense weary from the their regular workload struggled under the pressure of playing overtime. The crowds far and near watched the dream of another National Championship slip down the long slippery tube. The young men lost the game. The old man admitted defeat.

And the day only got worse when the lone blogger yelled at the old man from afar – “ you might want to put in another quarterback now, second string couldn’t do any worse!”

This is the story of Frank Beamer’s very bad day.