my daughter.... has been in tears since the Ohio offer came in. Dad too... but Mom is the most emotional.
Mom is Mom... she wants what makes her son happy. she'd prefer he never play another football game... can't get hurt that way. BUT... she took all that disrespect shown her son over the years, (real and perceived), hard... watching her son weather it all yet persist. All of this, today... is vindication... for all of us, actually, but for her most of all. I tried, often, to explain, "hey, that's sports"... but it wasn't sports for her.... it was her son... fighting the battle that is life.
It was a battle she never wanted Mason to fight, but came to know that he had too. She didn't ever really understand... she just accepted it. Had Mason given up along the way it wouldn't have bothered Mom at all... probably would have thrilled her.
For Mom, for all of us actually... it all culminated today... the persistence paid off.... and with all honesty I mean that whether Mason plays another down or not. I know this will sound a little 'weak', (especially coming from me as much as I've bragged), but for all of us, (except maybe Dad), this was never about football at all. - JamesJM
P.S. Believe it or not... I think Mason may be seeing it that way himself. What I mean is... I don't know that he'll take any of the offers. I think he's ready to take the strength he's gained from football and put it fully into his education if he deems that the best way to proceed with his life.
