letter to the editor

Dear Editor:

It was the middle of December, 1960. President Eisenhower was getting ready to hand over the reins to President elect Kennedy. On the radio, Johnny Horton was singing about going North to Alaska. And I was in the eighth grade and living in Temple, Texas. The Telegram (the Temple paper) had run several articles that week about the upcoming State Finals game between Albany and Crosby. I had never been to a state finals game and was very excited when Dad told me we were going.

I had two aunts and uncles living in Crosby, Texas. We were looking forward to seeing them. My uncles both worked at the Humble refinery in Baytown and had gotten Friday off, so they were going to come in the day before the game and stay with us.

As we were all walking into Woodson Field, I saw a couple of my friends who had been on the eighth grade football team with me. For whatever reason, their parents were also going to be sitting with the Crosby fans. So, we asked our dads if we could go sit with the Albany fans and cheer for Albany. I remember my dad laughing and saying “go ahead but behave yourself.”

My memories of the game itself have gotten fuzzy over the years. I know the game was scoreless at half time. I remember Albany had a really tough running back who broke a run for 30 yards or so in the third quarter for a touchdown. I also remember Albany scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a pass play. I do recall Crosby throwing the ball a lot and being shut out.

What I remember very clearly is talking with the Albany fans and realizing that they were just like my parents and grandparents – decent, hard-working people. I remember talking with a man my grandfather’s age who reminded me of my grandfather’s brother, my great uncle Elmer. He was pushing eighty at the time and living with my grandparents. He was a cowhand for over thirty years, working on large and small spreads from Wyoming clear down to Jeff Davis County.

I’ve never forgotten how kind the grownups from Albany were to me that afternoon. Sixty plus years brings many changes. What has not changed is that every football season I check to see how those Lions did last Friday night.

One sunny June day in 1997, I was coming back from Sheridan, Wyoming and took a side trip to Albany. I went to the football stadium. Sitting on the stone seat I looked toward the end zone, and I remember seeing two steel poles with signs in the shape of a football honoring the 1960/61 teams. I remember thinking that someday they’re going to have another sign to put up here because the good people of Albany and Shackelford County deserve it.

As the final seconds ticked off Dec. 14, and I watched the players and fans begin to celebrate, I thought of another game and another celebration so very long ago. And I got teary eyed remembering the man my grandfather’s age. I knew he was out there somewhere looking on, smiling, and swapping stories with my great-uncle Elmer. Congratulations and blessings to y’all and all those dear to you.

August Ciriello

210-843-2681

AugieCiri@gmail.com