Being the sports fanatic I am, if at anytime over my years of following sports anyone had told me I would become a soccer fan, I would have told them they were out of their ever-loving mind. That just goes to prove how things can change. I’ve now fell in love with the game. And you may wonder just what caused my mind to make such a drastic turnaround? The answer to that is my new son.
We’ll soon be arriving at the five-year anniversary of when I went to the Philippines and brought Lynndee and Yogi to the U.S. so me and Lynndee could get married. Yogi was just 7-years-old and had been without a dad for four years since his father’s death when he was three. But I was so excited to not only have a future wife, but a son as well, creating a new family.
Though having been a parent – I have a daughter – I had much to learn about Yogi and how to be a father to a little boy, which should have been simple since I once was a little boy with a fantastic father to use as my role model. Still, it was a new experience. Most important of all was to create a bond from which everything else could be built on. Being the reader I am, the first thing I tried to do was share with Yogi my love of books. That was relatively simple. I introduced him to my library and he fell in love with it, especially all the military history I had. I dare say that at his age, he now probably knows more about U.S. military history than I did at the same age and he himself is still learning the magic of books. But what better way for a father and son to come together than through following sports?
Yogi got here just in time for college basketball season so I was able to introduce him to my favorite team, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. I’ve followed them avidly since the mid-’60s when their coach, the legendary Dean Smith, took them to the Final Four three years in a row: ’67 – ’68 – ’69. And of course, there was the Michael Jordan era in the early 80’s, and it was Jordan’s shot with 17 seconds left in the game that gave Dean Smith his first national title in 1982. And I actually got to see Jordan play in a couple of games. But basketball is a big thing in the Philippines so Yogi immediately fell in love with the Heels.
One thing they don’t have there is baseball but after sitting with me and watching the Atlanta Braves play on TV – almost every night – Yogi became a Braves fan. And later on, I took Lynndee and Yogi to Atlanta to see them in person, a trip we’ll never forget.
After getting wrapped up in the world of watching sports, Yogi finally decided he wanted to play. He had never been involved in any team sport and I was surprised when he came home saying he wanted to play soccer. To me the game was a total mystery, but I was good to go with his wishes. And I now find myself in my third year of being a “soccer dad”.
Still, I find the game a mystery in many ways. I’ve yet to learn all the rules. When it comes to baseball and football, I know all the basics. I don’t know why I have such a problem with soccer. When the ref calls off sides in soccer, I haven’t a clue to what he’s talking about. I know what it is in football. And not only that phrase or term applies to soccer and another sport, there are others.
When it comes to position players, soccer has forwards, mid-fielders, fullbacks and a goalie, borrowing from four other sports. Basketball has forwards, baseball has a centerfielder, which is a mid-fielder, football has fullbacks and hockey has goalies. Is it any wonder that I’m confused?
Nonetheless, I’ve come to love the game. It’s very exciting and of most importance it’s created a strong bond in the entire family. And Yogi has progressively improved and is now in his second year of playing forward. Hopefully, one day in the future we’ll see him playing in the World Cup Finals on the U.S. team or helping the Philippines team qualify for World Cup competition. Until then, we’ll go to practice two days a week and play a game every Saturday. And maybe one day, I’ll finally learn all the rules. At least I hope so!
My hubby was raised on soccer. He was raise in South Africa where it is a HUGE sport. I am always impressed with his food work. I love the game of soccer too. It is fun to watch (even if I don’t know all the rules).
I love to watch soccer. I have no idea what any of the positions are, but I think they all have such skill.
Watching and playing sports together can create such a wonderful bond between parents and children. It sounds like it’s been the perfect way to foster a strong relationship between you and your son!
One of the fun aspects of having kids in your life is that they teach you to be a kid again and experience new things. I hope you two enjoy soccer and have lots of fun over the years together.
My sons loves soccer and it works out well since my husband used to play! I have a feeling we’re going to be a soccer family next year!
My youngest plays soccer and I have to be honest, it is the most boring thing I have to sit through. I don’t have any interest in the game at all, so I struggle to stay captivated.
I played soccer when I was in high school but my parents were too busy to come to my games. Your child is very lucky to have such an involved and interested parent.
It’s awesome that you’re both getting into soccer together! I know the offside rule but that’s about it!
I have loved soccer since I was a teen. And I have introduced my kids to it and they love it as well (thankfully).
I used to hate watching sports when I was younger, but learned to love watching games because of my husband. It would have been a lot of fun if we’re watching our kids. None of them are interested in sports.
My son and daughter love soccer. I am a sport fanatic and always follow soccer or basketball game!
I am not into soccer, for real. But it’s a good sport to follow and watch.
Sometimes, it is not about the sport, it is the time you spend together. My boys and I love watching sports on tv, but they can never pull me off the couch to play basketball with them. LOL.
Great job you guys for supporting Yogi’s passion in soccer. I would like to see my son play soccer., it would be fun.
We definitely support him and have a blast doing it.
My oldest is soccer obsessed. I love going to games and practices though and watching. I’m not a fan otherwise. But my kids playing? I’m all over it!
Honestly, I was never a fan of soccer until my kids started playing it. Now we’re at the fields every weekend and watched quite a bit of the World Cup over the summer. Just goes to show you how things can change…
Yes, Jennifer, things certainly can change. And we too watched all the World Cup we could; something I would have never dreamed of doing before.
I used to be a huge soccer fan when I was in school. Now I have no time to watch tv … 🙁 so lost interest in the sport.
I didn’t really follow soccer at all but my city just got a pro soccer team and I’m def a fan now!
My kids loved playing soccer when they were younger. My niece played all threw high school and was hoping to play in college.
I love soccer. I used to play (the position is Fullback) and it was great because I bonded with my team and we made wonderful memories competing at events. I love watching it too. Thanks for sharing your story!
Happy to share, Cara…(“,)
Soccer is my second love sports. I am really not that good but I can play.
Hehehe I use to hate soccer. Then when living in FL all the English people kinda turned me on to soccer during the World Cup! Not a bad sport at all!
My son started playing soccer last year, so I am having to learn more about it. it seems like it can get pretty exciting.