today started rather normally.  didn't shower, ate breakfast, had two classes, etc.  then something abnormal happened.  we had a couple hour stretch that happens once a week called "men's group" or men's class.  the girls have a separate one too.  we went to the local rec facility with soccer and baseball fields and such - very nice and well kept and big.  so we do a couple group activities that of course are packed with parables and lessons...everything was goin swell and enjoyably.  

then after that we had about an hour to play football on one of these big fields.  this is where it gets interesting.  there was 20 of 22 guys who wanted to play and voted that we play tackle football.  there were some restrictions like no cut blocking, or full on shoulder down spear tackles but it was legit, trust me.  so 10 dudes per side, my team is skins.  i need you to imagine the intensity of 20 dudes filled with adrenaline about to get on the most masculine of deeds.  

i was playing on the line for defense, and then i was a tight end for offense.  so one play while on offense i broke loose on a pass route and caught a deflected pass to me.  i turn upfield and got tackled shortly after by two guys - one on each side.  i was sort of running through the tackles but then one guy got down right in the middle and caught my legs and took me down.  so the dude that took me down low is pretty short but he's like a pitbull.  he wrestled for many years, broke his back about 4 times (and has tons of plates and stuff in it), has had 8 concussions, and is an all-round maniac.  pays no attention to pain or risk at all.  just one of those guys.

as he was taking me down, i ran through the hit initially and plowed my knee through the side of his face/head...like REAL hard.  i immediately ran back after the play to him to check on him even though he bounced right up to his feet.  he looked and sounded slightly shaken but was acting fine.  i must have asked him 3 times during the game.  he didn't even slow down, he ran hard, broke tackles, blocked back-field, you name it.  on a side note, some dude got elbowed in the face too, which led to much blood.

so football ends, and we head back for lunch.  as we're waiting i notice this guy (Jamie Simpson is his name, believe it or not) standing over on his own, kind of spaced out leaning on a chair.  i go over and ask him again, like "dude you straight?  does it feel like you got punched super hard with a stiff jaw and stuff?  cause you look real spaced out".  he looks at me and says no dude i got it on lock.  so i'm like, aight and i turn (still standing beside him).  10 seconds later he collapses into me...blacks out.  even though i was surprised cause i wasn't facing him, i was able to hold him up and lift him to a couch.  long story short i missed lunch cause i was sitting with him and some leaders for about an hour while an ambulance came and worked on em.  he's now gone to denver to get a cat scan.  those of you who can spare a minute, he needs prayer.  its likely a concussion, but given the symptoms they are taking every precaution.  

its only 3 o clock right now.  who knows what else might happen today.  for now i'm goin to play disc golf and then maybe climb.  tonite we have our first worship practice.  i dunno, we'll see how that goes.  

jimmy