Now I’m no football expert but I know enough to be dangerous and I know more about the respective teams I cheer for. I’ve never believed in having phony alliances or finicky loyalty.
First let me explain the TTU alliance. It’s true I did my graduate work at TTU and have two (2) Master’s degrees from TTU.
But I’m also a legacy alumna. My dad obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s there. My brother has his MBA from there and my mom took several graduate level courses but ultimately obtained her Masters in Supervision (education) from Angelo State where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree. I have at least five cousins who attended and four who finished their degrees there. So I’m a legacy alumna in the truest sense. I’ve always been proud to rep the red and black.
Given the family connection , after my dad finished his graduate work, he started buying us season tickets around the mid-to-late 2000’s to attend games as a family. So every other weekend was spent going to home games in Lubbock. My bro started grad school after my dad finished so it was a good excuse to go see him. After my bro graduated, I joined him in Lubbock and we continued attending games. Though by then, my mom dropped out of the family outing and would watch from my bro’s house or my apt but she dropped us off and picked us up. So TTU football has long been part of our family tradition. We stopped with season tickets when we were going out to Houston more often and when I moved to Austin. Got more and more difficult to travel the 6+ hrs every other weekend. But we faithfully watch and catch a games as we’re able. We at least check in on the scores whether it be football, basketball, or baseball!
When Ricardo and I married, neither one of us had a team we cheered for in the NFL. We were neutral for the first few years. But then Pat got drafted and our dear friend Chris got sick. He was a die hard Chief’s fan. He was a Boomer Sooner too…we overlook that! But it was the year Chris got sick. We watched a Chief’s game with him as we talked about his condition and outcome. He was always hopefully and ever trustful that God had a plan. My husband told him, “we don’t have a team. Maybe we’ll cheer for the Chiefs?” I remember his smile when my husband told him that.
We know alot of folks cover us in prayer but if anyone’s words have had such a significant impact on our marriage, it’s Chris’s words… his actions conveyed thru stories by his wife. His humility and willingness to make things right. I often hear Chris’s words to me “Sister grace…sister grace…” He understood grace far more intimately than I think I will ever understand myself. I’m not naturally merciful or give grace freely…as I’ve aged I’ve learned. My husband has most definitely helped me with that. He’s also tested me more times than I can recount…but in the hard moments when I think, this is too hard…I hear those words “Sister….grace….”
And so cheering for the Chiefs while there’s some truth in the TTU Alumni loyalty…it’s also in memory of our dear friend. I have no doubt had he survived cancer, we woulda taken our first cruise with him and his wife. I’m sure there’s plenty more wisdom he would’ve imparted and prayers sown on our behalf…
So when the Chiefs win we think of our friend and how he gifted us the remembrance of Grace in our marriage but also the gift of cheering for the Chief’s Kingdom! It’s something Ricardo and I do together. It’s how we spend time together and time in fellowship with others in our circle. Chief’s Kingdom to me is a gift of grace!
Thank you Chris (more than you could know) and we know we’ll see you again! #ChiefsKingdom
