Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Well, summer is winding down which is always a bit of a let down for me; it starts getting dark earlier, more rain and wind and this summer even though a bit wet, has been a good one here on the coast according to visitors to Yachats and Waldport and Florence that have enjoyed their visits or “staycations” as Oregonians call their visits when they’ve stayed within the state and have visited the state parks, the coast, the mountains and the many neat small towns they’ve missed before. And then there were the Olympics, nothing short of spectacular despite some dire predictions of them being a mess politically and environmentally.

However, least I feel too sad and depressed about summer exiting; I am reminded that this week collegiate football begins! Then the high school, junior high and youth football programs kick in and the big one; pro football, blasts off. Talk about a pick me up!

Every year I get the same feeling of excitement and it’s because here in Oregon football on all levels is a big deal and it touches an amazing amount of people. They are the fans, participants, parents, brothers and sisters of players, cheerleaders, coaches, boosters, bartenders, waitresses, box boys, coffee stand attendants, ministers, grocery clerks, teachers, shop owners, and many, many others. It’s one of those magical things that allows strangers to talk to one another about something they have in common; “Did you see the game?” “I see by your hat you’re an Oregon Fan!” “Did you see that kid play and win the game? Well he’s from the town I live in.” Today at the Village Market I saw a woman in a deep discussion with the clerk about which team was going to do better; the University of Oregon Ducks or Oregon State Beavers. Last week when I was getting an x-ray at the VA Hospital in Portland the woman running the machine proudly told me that Derek Anderson, a Portland native and former Oregon State quarterback and currently in the National Football league as the Cleveland Browns quarterback, is her nephew.

Of course not everyone is as excited about football season as I am and there are many that could care less but I think that modern forms of communication have made it pretty hard to ignore. By the time the Super Bowl rolls around in early February you’d have to be have been living under a rock to not have been informed via advertising on every medium or even by the sales some stores are running for the non fan on Super Bowl Sunday. Even if you don’t like football you might pay attention to the Super Sale on Super Sunday!

The final reason I get so excited about the beginning of football season is that is gives me a reason to get a hold of long time acquaintances that I know are die hard fans. We may only talk once a year but at least it will be a great conversation with a lot of optimism about the new season.

So here’s to you; I hope your favorite teams and players do well and that you and your fellow fans get to celebrate their successes!!!

To reach Rick Schultze: email yarick@pioneer.net