Return to the Gridiron

Just when I had almost given up all hope on sports in Israel, I received an intriguing phone call.  I was in the middle of Shabbat dinner when I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize.  The voice on the other end of the line introduced himself as the coach of the Haifa Underdogs.  I had no idea what the Haifa Underdogs was, so there is no chance you would have heard of it.  As it happens, the Haifa Underdogs are one of 5 football teams in the Israel Football League, a league created by Patriots owner Robert Kraft.  It is an 8-on-8 league in its third year of full-contact.  The coach said asked if I was interested in coming to their practice the following day, and that he would be willing to be pick me up and take me there (I didn't know at the time, but one of the members of the team knows a friend of mine).

I didn't have anything better to do, and I was pretty curious about seeing what it would be like, so I told him I'd be there.   The next day I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I was somewhat surprised with the turn out.  There were maybe two Americans and the rest were Israelis.  There definitely was a little "Bad News Bears" about them, but at the same time there were a few guys with some potential.  Perhaps the funniest thing was that when everyone was split up into different positions I was sent to the running backs group.  Actually, I don't know what is funnier, that I practiced with the running backs or that I was actually pretty good.  Who knows maybe my real talents were wasted through out high school.  Not to mention, I don't know if I would stand much of a chance against there line men, who were all at least two of me put together.

It wasn't particularly serious, they only practice about 2 times a week, but that actually works out well for me since I only get out of the army every now and then.  The whole way home I couldn't help but think how it reminded me of a book I read recently by John Grisham, Playing for Pizza.  About American Football in Italy, and how the players aren't payed but receive free pizza and beer after each game from one of the players who owns a restaurant.