As a follow up to Lee and Wondering man about FOOTBALL in Texas, at least in my area:
We had homecoming last evening. There was a pep rally at 11:00 a.m. at the retirement home, another one down town at 1:30 p.m, a girl's volleyball game at 3:00 p.m., the crowning of the homecoming queen at 6:30 p.m., and the varsity football game at 7:30 p.m. There was also a coaches and players morning at the elementary school prior to the start of school. The players go open car doors and help escort the young kids to their classes. In all, it was a FOOTBALL day. We love it.
Before the game both schools play their school songs and both crowds stand for both songs. That is followed by "Texas our Texas" played by the host school's band, and we all sing along. Then we have a prayer, sometimes by a Catholic and sometimes by a protestant. We are all one of the former, but if a Jew or Muslim is present, which is unlikely, we still pray. No one is required to pray, but by the same token, they are not allowed to interfere with us. Then we play the Star Spangled banner and sing real loud. We then play football. The bands march at half time, and both crowds applaud both bands. After the game the bands play the school songs and the players meet in mid field for a closing prayer and some brief comments from some of the coaches and players. We leave the field in the best spirit of sportsmanship and travel our different ways home. At the end of the event, we are all good friends, and win or lose look forward to tomorrow. I wish all of you could come be a part of this.
lazy