The phrase “if I could just put the pads on one more time” can be heard all over the country in the fall. You hear it in the bars after one too many, in the stands on Friday nights, and in living rooms on Sunday afternoons. For a lot of former players the prospect of putting on the pads one more time is just a dream and will remain that way for the rest of time. That sentiment is true in most places in the country but one place has figured out a way to live out that dream one more time….Corpus Christi, Texas.
Old Man Football (2018) centers around a Carroll High School Tigers alumni game between 90’s and 2000’s football players. Both generations put together teams who came from as far as Pennsylvania to participate in the game. This game, however, was about more than just a chance to bang the pads together one more time. The alumni classic was a fundraiser for one of Carroll High School’s fallen teammates, Josh Bedford. Josh Bedford’s brother Melvin wanted to use the game as a way to form a scholarship in his brother’s name. Josh Bedford was fatally stabbed in 2002 while attending Texas A&M. Director Luke Coffee highlights the raw emotion of Josh’s former teammates. As much as all the alumni were motivated to give it one more go around they are more inspired to play for their former teammate and keep his memory alive.
Over a hundred players signed up for this fantasy game fundraiser. The cast of characters that were featured were quite diverse with ex-convicts, preachers, and everything in between participating in the game. Besides playing for Josh Bedford each player had their own reason for playing. Wide Receiver Devon “Spiderman” Jackson who played in some indoor pro leagues after high school wanted the chance to showcase his talents again. Linebacker Patrick Wethington wanted to get back on the field to give him purpose after spending time in prison. Defensive tackle Ryan Ben David talked of growing up with no brothers and an absentee father so the prospect of reuniting with old friends was all he needed to step back on the gridiron again. David Isenberg was not only the youngest (19) but most entertaining of the 2000’s alumni. He minced no words, stating although he is only 5’5” and 175 pounds, his face was his best feature. Even the alumni cheerleaders, the Tigerettes, got involved in the game. Mary Raymond even postponed her bachelorette party to go back and cheer for her beloved Tigers.
This event wasn’t just a scenario of roll the balls out, kickoff, and play. These players committed to the practice and preparation it takes to play in a football game. Coffee concentrated mostly on the 90’s blue team which was dubbed the Old Guys. You got a sense during the film that the Old Guys were much more cohesive as a group. They were having organized practices, 7 on 7’s, and offensive line meetings while the young guys had guys not even showing up to their practices. Now I am sure a huge factor to this was the fact that these guys were further removed from playing and not in the greatest shape. Although committed to preparation, the 90’s Alumni was not devoid of drama. In a team meeting at a local sports bar, a scene was carefully crafted to show you a player having one too many, while each player was giving what this game means to me speech. Alcohol mixed with testosterone is always a highly flammable concoction. Punches were thrown and a small pull apart ensued. Football in Texas is a religion and is never to be taken lightly.
Game day had all the pomp and circumstance that it had 20 or 30 years ago however the game play was not quite the same. Sloppy and riddled with turnover, expected for a group of over the hill and out of shape men, both teams struggled early to get their footing. In fact the first play of the game David Isenberg picked off a pass intended for Devon Jackson and took off for the end zone for a touchdown. After the elation of making this big play Isenberg promptly went to the sideline and puked. That is how I pictured it when putting myself in his place. Two Young Guys turnovers, including a crushing hit by Ryan Ben David to force a fumble, kept the Old Guys in the game at half, 16-3. The second half the Old Guy’s defense held the line and the offense finally managed a score with an acrobatic catch by Devon Jackson, who showed off his love for Spiderman by shooting imaginary webs from his wrists. David Isenberg thwarted any hope of a comeback for the Old Guys by grabbing his second interception of the game. The game was not the highlight of this film, but the reuniting of men who shared a bond through football. Compared to the individual player stories, the game footage didn’t measure up. The documentary is not so much about the game, but more about the opportunity to live out a dream of playing along their teammates again and honoring a Josh Bedford. After the game the film shows how they have built and expanded the game to include other high schools. These alumni play sometime 5-10 games a year. Not a bad gig to relive some of the glory days.
The last couple of falls since he moved back to Connecticut with his family, my friend and high school teammate Jay Nielson will randomly call me in the fall. Anytime I see his text come across my phone I know it’s going to be football related. Usually it’s an invitation to come over his house to watch his beloved Arizona State Sun Devils. The invite typically is for an 11 pm kickoff. Being the football junkie that I am, I always accept. After a couple of adult beverages, the conversation will always lead to the desire to put the helmet on one more time. When I was the Head Coach at Abbott Tech, he would always ask if I could get him some shoulder pads and a helmet. Luckily I never gave into our liquid courage and denied his requests. Often I think about Jay and my teammates of the class of ’99 and look back with pride. Like the players in this documentary you build a bond that’s hard to explain, but there is a great line in a country song that describes high school football quite poignantly. The verse is talking about being at a high school and says that high school football is a “boys first dream and a man’s first loss”.
Best quotes:
“I always would tell my players if you’re not hitting someone on every play you’re not doing it right, this is a combat and contact sport. Just like making love there has to be some contact somewhere”
–Ron Young Booster President (’87-’95)
“Without the game, I wouldn’t have went to college, I wouldn’t have a degree, and I wouldn’t have me my wife” – Eric Tansby, Running Back, who played at Texas as Ricky Williams back up.
“You have dream go get ‘em” -Devon Jackson
Traveling Bro: Wide Receiver Devon “Spiderman” Jackson Blue Team Old Guys
Jackson looked like he can be the third receiver on the Giants right now. He ran sharp routes, has great hands, and made a great acrobatic on a jump ball for the Old Guys only touchdown. His description of practice routine is every receiver coach’s dream.
