The Agony of Defeat

I never played football growing up. Looking back I wish I would have given it a shot; I bet I would have been good at something. It never really came to mind as a child and although I thought about it as I entered high school, I was a kick-ass drummer so I stuck with the band.

It wasn't until I started working with the Lehigh University football program did I truly get to experience the high after a win, and unfortunately, like today, the lowest of lows after a tough loss.

For the last few years, I've been part of the broadcast crew with Lehigh, handling the pregame and postgame shows as well as the sideline reporting duties. Im never more than a few feet away from the playing field so I've never been so close to the action. Just after the first half and at the conclusion of the game, Im one of the first people to talk to the head coach, which is either a blessing after a big win or one of the toughest assignments ever after a deflating loss.

Today was one such loss.

After battling back and forth for most of the game, Lehigh took what it thought was the lead for good with just over five minutes to go. Cornell got the back with 78 yards to go needing a touchdown to win and proceeded to methodically march down the field, eating up every second and every yard, winning the game on fourth and 6 from the 20 yard line as time expired. The Lehigh faithful let out a huge gasp, followed by deafening silence and I was left with just moments to adjust my post-game interview.

Despite the loss, I can honestly say that it was one of the coolest moments in my life. The stadium was quaking behind me, I was into the game as if I were in uniform. And hell, maybe the "LEHIGH" was embroidered on my polo shirt and jacket and not stitched onto a jersey, but I felt like I WAS in uniform. And as a member of the "team" this one hurt. I felt for the coach, who struggled to find the words after a loss like this one. I wouldnt go so far as to call the two of us friends, but its hardly a stretch to say we are friendly with eachother. I felt for the players, who fought so hard for 60 minutes, only to come a play short. Football, as they say, is a game of inches and if that defensive back were only a few inches taller...

As tough a loss as it was, I wouldnt trade the experience for anything. Unlike when I was a child, today I had a football game. Unfortunately, my team lost, but there's always next week and I'll be ready.