(05-04-2021 10:41 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(05-04-2021 06:36 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  I took my late father to his first college football game in 1993 when he was 54 years old. Louisville vs. Texas UofL beat the Longhorns that day 41-10. I still remember my Dad’s face that day. He was awestruck.

He’s been gone since 2005. I miss Dad everyday. If you still have your father, call him and talk to him. I sure wish I could call mine.

My Dad is 73 with a long list of health problems - he’s currently getting treated for prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes on top of being a survivor of both colon cancer (has been in remission for the last 20 years) and a heart attack. He’s at the point where I’m not sure if we’ll ever be able to go to a game together again, which makes me really sad whenever I think about it.

My Dad was never a big sports fan, but he’d indulge me because (as many of you can probably tell) I was a complete sports nut from an early age. We would go to White Sox games at old Comiskey Park and sit in the general admission area with the bright green wooden seats. The one thing that he’d always get me for a treat every game was a churro. I know that it sounds so simple, but for me as a little kid, this was an exotic delicacy that I only got to have at the ballpark with my Dad! To this day, any time that I see a churro anywhere, it takes me specifically back to that time and place as a kid with my Dad at old Comiskey Park.

I honestly can’t recall the specifics of many games that I went to with him, but I always remember the *feeling* of joy of being there with him. That’s what sports is all about.

Great story.

We're immigrants from Chile, and my Dad really loves soccer. He also has lots of health issues and can no longer climb steps.

The Copa America tournament...for the best national soccer team in South America...was hosted by the US a few years ago. I was fortunate to get a contact with the NY Giants/Meadowlands Complex (site of finals match) for tickets and logistics. Sure enough, Argentina and Chile made the finals. The stadium was packed and rocking. There were many more Argentines. With my Dad, brother and son we rooted, yelled and sang all game. Amazingly, Messi missed a penalty shot and Chile won. It was precious.

Emil Ekiyor

I went to a UCF games against South Carolina with Emil Ekiyor a former UCF player. He is a CEO now up in Indianapolis. He played in the NFL. His son plays for Bama Emil Ekiyor Jr. and he will end up in the NFL as well. Nice guy. Immigrated from Africa and made himself a major success story in America.

(05-05-2021 08:45 PM)No Bull Wrote:  Emil Ekiyor

I went to a UCF games against South Carolina with Emil Ekiyor a former UCF player. He is a CEO now up in Indianapolis. He played in the NFL. His son plays for Bama Emil Ekiyor Jr. and he will end up in the NFL as well. Nice guy. Immigrated from Africa and made himself a major success story in America.

I dont know if Ekiyor is a common African name or not but my niece used to date a young man named Ekiyor who played fb for RIT here in Rochester. His father was a psychologist with the Rochester School district and he worked with my wife. They were the only 2 people in the world that I had known with that name, until I just read your post. Very nice family

(05-05-2021 11:58 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(05-05-2021 08:45 PM)No Bull Wrote:  Emil Ekiyor

I went to a UCF games against South Carolina with Emil Ekiyor a former UCF player. He is a CEO now up in Indianapolis. He played in the NFL. His son plays for Bama Emil Ekiyor Jr. and he will end up in the NFL as well. Nice guy. Immigrated from Africa and made himself a major success story in America.

I dont know if Ekiyor is a common African name or not but my niece used to date a young man named Ekiyor who played fb for RIT here in Rochester. His father was a psychologist with the Rochester School district and he worked with my wife. They were the only 2 people in the world that I had known with that name, until I just read your post. Very nice family

Maybe distant relatives. Emil was a very nice guy. I had not thought of Emil in years until I saw this thread. I was shocked that he has a kid old enough to be playing college football at Bama.