Drive Yourself Further

"The man who will drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win." - Roger Bannister (the man who first broke the 4-minute mile mark)

Tiger Woods - A Better Man For It

The 'coming out' party Tiger has had is a sad consequence of his actions, which are reprehensible.  However, like all of life's best lessons, this may just make him a better man in the end.  Read this article from Rick Reilly about Tiger Woods.  It summarizes what this optimist thinks of the situation. 

Andre Agassi Open

In the last month, two of the sports figures I've admired most as a casual sports-a-holic, have had 'coming out' parties.  One was forced upon him - Tiger Woods.  I'll probably write a post about him later.  For now, I want to focus on Andre Agassi.  The latest chapter in his story ends happily (which is how I think Tiger's will end too).  No news article summarizes how I feel more than this one from Rick Reilly.  I hope you'll read it. 

I first saw Andre in one of his first tournaments at age 16.  He went to the semi-finals and lost to McEnroe there, but I've been a fan of his ever since.  As a tennis player, I admired his return game.  And now, in real life, his return from a seemingly hopeless situation is inspiring.

I plan on reading "Open" by Andre Agassi over Christmas break. 

Thanks Andre - for modeling hope and true manhood in the face of no hope and adversity.

Titans Fake Punt - Best Ever

Franklin Cowboys Combine Highlights

We had a fun week.  Every day from 6 - 7:30, both of the boys participated in the Franklin Cowboys Spring Combine.  Over 300 kids participated from all age groups all across Franklin.  Alex was in the 9 year old group.  Kaden was in the 7 year old.  Each day of the combine, they each learned new skills they'll be able to use when the season starts in July.  Alex will play tackle football in the fall - Kaden still is too little.  He'll play flag again (if he wants). 

Tonight, they finished the week with a competition.  They competed in broad jump, punting, kicking field goals, sprints, high jumps and some obstacle courses.  Krissy and I were proud to watch them compete.  They both did so well.  Kaden kicked a 20 yard punt - the longest in his age group.  Alex was the only one in his age group to make a field goal.  Alex also got the best in the high jump and 2nd in broad jump.  Kaden came in second in sprints.  

Overall, out of 30 kids in his age group, Alex came in second all around.  I was so proud to hear his name announced.  I thought for sure Kaden at least came in second, maybe even first (goes to show you how proud I am), but he wasn't called.  He must have barely missed coming in second (eternal optimist father).  Here are the results...seems Kaden did well enough to be in first or second.  I guess they didn't want to give it to too many Nordhoffs...

I was proud of both of my boys.  It's a fun event and only cost $35 per child.  They each got a t-shirt and were able to get some great experience doing what they loved. 

Favorite Blogs of the Year - #8

This one is appropriate - after a great weekend of sports on TV.  Check it out:

June 16, 2008

My Favorite Sports Memories

Father & Son Bowl

A few weeks ago, my boys and I played in the Father & Son Bowl.  This is the second year in a row we've done this.  It's sponsored by local area churches and businesses as a way for Fathers & Sons to bond and make memories.  It happens every year the weekend of the Superbowl.  

I highly recommend it for anyone in the Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill area.  When you arrive, you receive a t-shirt and a goodie bag and you play a game together with 2 other dads and their boys (or girls).  All of it for $10 per entrant.  

I'm so thankful for Darin and his wife for putting this event together every year. 

The only dangerous parts (for the boys) were the competitive dads that run over the kids (by accident).

Father & Son Bowl

My boys and I look forward to the Father & Son Bowl every year.  Last year I played with Pneumonia.  

It takes place on the Saturday of Superbowl Weekend in Franklin, TN.  Lasko Fields off Columbia Avenue. If you want to register, there is still time...Click on the Father & Son Bowl Website.

Country Music Marathon

Here come the New Years Resolutions! 

I just signed up for the 1/2 Marathon on April 25, 2009.  13.1 miles.  Gulp!  I've never ever run that far.  5k - no problem.  10k, yeah, I could do it.  But, 13.1 miles - that's going to be a new milestone for me personally.  Mainly because I have an IT band that gets excruciatingly sore at about mile 6.  But, some of my friends have encouraged me that it's manageable with stretching and exercises.

With the help of my friends, I'm going to begin training, hope my knee holds up and accomplish this goal in 2009. 

Country Music Marathon - here I come!

WE ARE TEXANS: Destined To Dominate

The inspiring story of one flag football team (coached by yours truly and a great team of assistant coaches/parents) in Franklin, TN that never gave up and never lost a game!  Undefeated 8-0 Texans.  Watch this short form video.  Make sure you watch it in high quality.

I created a 29 minute version which is much better (but I can't upload it to YouTube).  Enjoy!

Flag Football Frenzy

I've been blessed this year to coach a flag football team of exceptionally talented young boys.

It's truly one of the highlights of my week to coach our team of 7-8 year olds. Alex and Kaden play together. It's really fun to coach them both - they're both incredible players all the way around.

I also get to coach with one of my favorite people - Jeff Boesinger. Jeff and his wife, Lisa, their son Jake and daughter Kaylee are such great people and have truly become our best "flag football" friends. Jeff is a defensive specialist - he's only had one TD scored against him in 5 games.

On top of that, I get to coach 6 other great kids: Ryan, Eli, Ben, Joseph, Thomas and Spencer.

This truly is a special team and a special season. Not only are we 5-0 and have dominated about every game, but these boys also show great respect to their teammates and opposing team, they play great together and they are very talented.

This past weekend we played our rival team - the Falcons. The team is coached by one of my favorite people out on the fields - Brian Sullivan. He always prepares his team. I was very nervous going into the match-up. On top of that, Graham is also on his team. He and his parents are some of my favorite people also. I coached with Steve, Graham's dad, last season (Giants) and we had lots of fun. The game was tight after the first half. In the end, our team beat them 18-0, but it was a tough fight. Afterward, we all gathered together and Brian led a prayer for us all. That's one of the reasons why Brian is such a special coach. Even in defeat, he led us all in giving credit where credit is due.

Here's our team cheer:

Have FUN

Show RESPECT

Play TOGETHER

We Are TEXANS

We Are TEXANS

We Are TEXANS

ROAR!!!!

Coach Eric

My Favorite Sports Memories

When Tiger Woods made his comeback today with a dramatic birdie putt on the 18th hole to tie Rocco Mediate to force a playoff tomorrow at the US Open, I said to myself this was one of my favorite sports memories ever.  I don't scream out loud often, but I couldn't help it tonight.  In fact, Krissy heard me down the street.  She and Alex came running in to make sure I was okay!  That was unbelievable!  I'm glad I got to share that one with Alex on Father's Day!

Tonight, I started thinking about all the other sports memories I've had in the years past.  Here they are...as best I can remember them...in chronological order...

1979 - Watching my first professional soccer game - New York Cosmos in Giants Stadium with Giorgio Chinaglia, Pele and Franz Beckenbauer.  That was awesome!

1980 - Wimbledon Bjorn Borg beats John McEnroe in dramatic 5-setter. 

1985 - Watching Boris Becker win his first Wimbledon against Kevin Curren.

1986 - Watching Germany play Argentina in the World Cup. 

1986 - Boris wins Wimbledon again against Lendl

1986 - Seeing Andre Agassi (age 17) play for the first time at the Volvo Tournament in Vermont. 

1986 - New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings.  4th & 17 Phil Simms makes a miracle first down pass which ends up helping the Giants to win the game with a Field Goal by Raul Allegre (I think that was his fifth of the game).

1986 - NY Giants vs. Denver Broncos.  George Martin intercepts a John Elway pass in Giants Stadium and returns it 70 yards for a TD.  I still remember Lawrence Taylor diving on #75 in the end zone.  Later that game, Phil Simms made a clutch pass to Phil McConkey #80 for a first down and eventual game winning comeback field goal.  They would meet later that season in the Superbowl.

1987 - NY Giants beat the Denver Broncos in Superbowl XXI.  Phil Simms is MVP.

1987 - Larry Mize unbelievable chip to steal the Masters from Greg Norman on the first playoff hole.

1989 - Winning the Somerset County, NJ Championship in 1st Singles and as a team my senior year of high school.

1990 - NY Giants win Superbowl XXV.  Bill Parcell's strategy to run the ball against the Buffalo Bills.  Bills' Norwood misses the potential winning FG wide right. 

1991 - Jimmy Connors plays an unbelievable US Open.  Makes it into the Semi-finals at the age of 39.  Great points and fist pumping - especially the match against Aaron Krickstein one evening!

1992 - Andre Agassi wins his first grand slam at Wimbledon.  He still had long hair and was dating Brooke Shields. 

1993 - Houston Oilers lose to Buffalo Bills in the greatest comeback ever in Buffalo 41 - 38 after Houston was leading 35-3 at halftime. 

1994 - Winter Olympics

1996 - Greg Norman chokes away 6 stroke lead on the final Sunday to lose to Nick Faldo at The Masters.

1998 - Tennessee Volunteers are National Champions in NCAA College Football.

1999 - Payne Stewart beats Phil Mickelson at the US Open at Pinehurst to win his last major before his tragic death later. 

1999 - Jean Claude Van de Velde chokes at the British Open with an unbelievable double-bogey.

2000 - Music City Miracle: Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills.  Down by 1 point, with 16 seconds left in the game, the Bills kick off...Wycheck laterals the ball to Dyson and he runs into the end zone for the unbelievable win.  I was screaming all the way to Nashville at that moment!

2000 - Superbowl XXIV - Titans vs. Rams.  Dyson is tackled one yard short of the end zone for the potentially game tying score.   

2004 - Phil Mickelson wins his first major - The Masters with an unbelievable putt on the 18th.

2006 - Phil Mickelson chokes away his 1 shot lead in the US Open with a double-bogey on 18. 

2007 - Texas Longhorns win against SC in the College Football National Championship Game.  Vince is later drafted by my hometeam - the Titans!

2007 - Tennessee Titans comeback from a 1-5 season to barely miss the playoffs and finish the season 8-8.  Rookie Quarterback Vince Young (VY) ignites a spark in the team and makes unbelievable plays to win several close games.  I remember two games - one where Rob Bironas makes a 60 Yard Field Goal to defeat the Colts.  Another, where the Giants miss VY for a sure sack and go on to comeback and win the game against the Giants in a nail biter with 21 unanswered points.

2007 - Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts barely defeat the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship and go on to demolish the Chicago Bears in Superbowl XLI.

2008 - The New York Giants upset the New England Patriots to win Superbowl XLII.  Eli Manning dramatic escape of a sack on 3rd Down to make a 20 yard completion to Tyree for a finger tip catch off his helmet!

2008 - Tiger Woods Rounds 3 & 4 - unbelievable shots for eagles and birdies to eventually tie Rocco Mediate on the last hole with a dramatic birdie putt.  I can still see Tiger's fist pumps and the crowd going wild in the background!  Absolutely electric!

Tiger Woods - 3rd Round US Open "Inspiring!"

WOW - what an amazing day of golf!  I wish I could have been in the crowd roaring with everyone else.  I am continually amazed at what this man can do - even with a bum knee.  Truly inspiring!

Click here to see the video highlights.

Flag Football Post Game Party

Well, the season is almost over.  One more game to go.  We're 5-2, I believe.  We experienced a tough loss this past Saturday against the Franklin Steelers 5-6 team.  They were amazing...scratch that...they had one kid (coach's son) who was amazing.  He also got the ball 90% of the time.  A little unfair, but that's okay, the boys don't even remember it.  Kaden scored all the points (proud dad comment).  For the record, he's a coaches son also. 

Afterwards, we had our end of the season party at Marble Slab Creamery.  The boys obviously had a great time...as you can see by the pics.  Kaden is the one with the chocolate ice cream moustache.  Alex is in the red.  I am so proud to be coaching these boys.  It's great for me and I think the boys and their families are having a great time too. 

Even though another season is over, I have only 3 months to wait until the next one starts!  I think I'll coach both Alex and Kaden together on the same team.  We'll see what happens...

Coaching Flag Football

Here's a short video with music I made quickly of our boys latest victory in YMCA flag football.  Yours truly was the coach.  I'm a proud papa.

Download 5308ChiefsHighlightsFlagFootball.wmv