Sometimes we forget to say “thanks” so today I want to thank a fellow who may have saved my life in a high school football game nearly 50 years ag

We were playing one of the top teams in the state and they were killing us. Actually “killing” is too mild to describe the massacre. For some reason I was playing linebacker. The Rattlers (the other team) had ripped a hole in our defensive line and suddenly I found myself with nothing but air and five yards of grass between my skinny 15-year old body and their all-state running back.

He was big, fast and ugly (maybe not ugly but that sounds good with the other two). I felt like a daisy in front of a charging bull as he powered towards me, bent nearly parallel to the ground. My life flashed before my eyes. My best hope was that some people would at least cry at my funeral.

Suddenly from nowhere, one of our defensive backs, senior Mac Hubbard, slashed in from the side and smacked him down. I may have pranced around afterwards like I had done something or maybe I even piled on a bit. I don’t remember. But, I knew the truth: I was a goner if Mac hadn’t saved me.
So, I’m 49 years late with this but, “Thanks Mac. I really appreciate it man.”

Photos courtesy of and copyright Free Range Stock, www.freerangestock.com Ernie Aranyosi Continue reading →