917 SFS recognizes need for manlier morale maneuvers

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  I'm no athlete, and I don't like to watch sports. I don't even like reporting on sporting events. But, every once in a while I'm blessed by being at the right place whether it is the right time or not. Such an event occurred on an oblong field of battle at a baseball diamond on Barksdale AFB, La., during the December Unit Training Assembly.

A number of 917th Security Forces Squadron members competed in their yearly E-5 and below verses E6 and above flag football game. Why...I do not know. As I watched this...this competition of skills as it were, I could only reflect on the fact that these men are authorized to carry weapons. Seriously, someone needs to look into that.

Now, since the teams had no official names, and the descriptions thrown at me from a number of different sources are unprintable, I will call them the "Young'uns" and the "Ageless," respectively.

Since the game itself followed no evident rules of play that I could recognize, I will not be able to follow the rule of law in reporting on such an event. So, at the half, the Young'uns were up 6-0.

I could barely hear official calls over screams about orange cones, the odd shape of the field, of their one cheerleader, and I don't know what else. But, when Chaplain Devaul was asked to make a call based on his honesty as a man of God, I thought there might be a problem with the officiating of the game and therefore started planning my exit strategy.

Unfortunately, before I could implement my plan, I was asked if I had gotten a shot of the last play. I had. Now, I was reluctantly drawn into the quagmire of colorful uniforms and personalities to make flag football history with a call being decided by the instant replay of a reporter's camera. The ball had not touched the ground.

Regular play ended with the game tied and going into overtime. That would be OT for us sports fans. I can not describe my elation at the prospect of spending more time in the company of... Well, I leave that description to you.

The game ended when Cabibi, that's all I was told, jumped into the air and intercepted the ball. The final score was 13-6. The Young'uns won.

Now, I tried for an interview after game, and all I could muster up was Chuck Parker, a member of the Ageless team, which was the loser in this demonstration of manliness. 

I asked Chuck who coached his team. His reply, "we coach ourselves." Enough said.