The "Reasons for Doing Certain Things" Story
It was an ordinary day. Just got back from the hospital after visiting with Larry J. He looked pretty good but had this thing coming from a contraption above his bed that held his leg in place. The story goes that he was one of my teammates as well as freshmen classmates on the 9th grade football team. Running back and defensive back. Another one of our classmates, Jody G., was also on the team, but he was sooooo good that he started for the varsity at running back. Eventually led the league in everything related to running the football and still is one of the all-time best running backs in the history of Manheim Township football as well as Lancaster County football. One day the freshmen team was needed to act as the defensive team in practice. The varsity wanted to practice certain plays so the freshmen were needed to help out the defense. Larry J. was playing defensive back and the varsity offense started a new play. Lucky for me that I played quarterback and wasn't needed for practice. Jody naturally got the ball and started through the line. Headed right for Larry J. Larry J. gave his best, but Jody ran right over him, knocking him to the ground. And ..... he didn't get up! Eventually had to call for an ambulance and transport him to the 
Lancaster General Hospital. Yep, had a compound fracture in his leg. Had to wire it to a device above his bed to help him from moving it. Pretty bad! Larry J. never played football after that. I continued on that year, but I never got near Jody G. when he had the ball. I'd fake an injury if I had to to stay away from him. After the season was over and I turned in my equipment, I called it quits. Valued my body too much. Jody and I both serve on the reunion committee now, but I haven't seen Larry J. since graduation. Wonder if he still walks with a limp. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pix at top is Larry J. in the yearbook while the photo at bottom is Jody G. on the football field. He even looks threating in the photo, doesn't he?
It was an ordinary day. Just got back from the hospital after visiting with Larry J. He looked pretty good but had this thing coming from a contraption above his bed that held his leg in place. The story goes that he was one of my teammates as well as freshmen classmates on the 9th grade football team. Running back and defensive back. Another one of our classmates, Jody G., was also on the team, but he was sooooo good that he started for the varsity at running back. Eventually led the league in everything related to running the football and still is one of the all-time best running backs in the history of Manheim Township football as well as Lancaster County football. One day the freshmen team was needed to act as the defensive team in practice. The varsity wanted to practice certain plays so the freshmen were needed to help out the defense. Larry J. was playing defensive back and the varsity offense started a new play. Lucky for me that I played quarterback and wasn't needed for practice. Jody naturally got the ball and started through the line. Headed right for Larry J. Larry J. gave his best, but Jody ran right over him, knocking him to the ground. And ..... he didn't get up! Eventually had to call for an ambulance and transport him to the
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