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All-Star Game Memories
By Boomer Esiason
It was the summer of 1979. I walked onto the practice field at Central Islip High school wondering how I would stack up. In those days, information about players wasn't as accurate as it is today. Everybody shows up with a reputation, and the question is how many guys actually live up to the hype...I'm sure my reputation preceded me as well.
I could play, and I did make All-Long Island team, but I was afraid that I wouldn't live up to those expectations. I wondered about the other guys from schools we played against. Would they try to prove something on the practice field that might lead to injury? How could we all get along, since we had been trying to beat the heck out of each other for the past three years?
Good thing none of my fears ever came true, as a matter of fact, it was quite the opposite. If memory serves me well, it was the most enjoyable experience I'd ever had in my football career. That's right, more enjoyable than any college bowl game. Pro Bowl and even the Super Bowl. Maybe the Super Bowl would have been better had we won. But the opportunity to get to know the special players from my area was a powerful experience. Whether they were from our heated rival West Islip or from Deer Park, all of the players had a healthy respect for one another.
After the many years I've been involved in the game of football, one thing has really touched me. Only people who have played the game can understand the sacrifices that are made and how difficult the game is. An All-Star game rewards you for your individual performance within the structure of your team. Football players get the most out of the glory of winning together. What separates our sport from all the rest is how much we depend on our teammates and the sacrifices we make for one another. That's what makes the winning so great and the losing so excruciating.
We won our game in 1979. It took teamwork and effort. Plays made on both sides made it one of the best All-Star games in history of Suffolk County. I remember hitting Bill Macfadden from West Islip for the winning touchdown. Bill and I actually went on to become roommates at the University of Maryland. When talking to other players who participated in that game, they tell me what a great time it was. If you are lucky enough to be invited to play in the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, I can assure you that you will not only have a great experience and enjoy yourself, but you also will take with you a lifelong memory, I know I did. |
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