Taking one (on the knee) for the team at homecoming

I was doing the old grandpa trick last week, rubbing my gray beard while telling tales of fact and fiction about football games. Then the topic of homecoming game up. I told of a horrible homecoming night in the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville when the Indians made 10 turnovers in a loss on a wet night. It was awful.

But having my legs knocked out from under me at Gerald Prim Stadium Friday, is a new high or low, depending on how you look at it. I'd laugh about it if my left knee didn't still hurt from the recent incident.

Reactions to wound have ranged from 'big deal' to 'old fool.' I haven't gotten a lot of sympathy, with or without my limp. Here's how it happened, I decided I was needed at the Prim for football coverage, especially since it was a full house for homecoming.

I would help out, take a few photos and notes and everything was fine. The plan was going well and almost routine until about nine minutes left in the first quarter. I'd done what I planned, helped out on homecoming coverage. Then like the old war horse or former sports editor, I just stayed on the sideline to click a few more action shots, then the action came to and all of a sudden, I was too close for comfort.

I've been on the sidelines for more than four years, I can recognize pretty quickly when a play is coming my way.

So I tucked the camera under my wing and backed up, then took a few more steps toward the stands. I noticed out of the corner of my eye the tacklers were still coming so I took another step or two before the pile was on me and knocked in a heap the ground, my camera bag flying near my side. Stunned, yes I was stunned. I was ill-prepared for the collision, even after backing up 10-12 yards away from the action. County EMT Jeff Sanderson's friendly face was eye-to-eye with me on the turf and sidewalk. He put his hand out to help me up. I wasn't ready to get up, I was dazed and confused for a minute.

Finally I decided I step up on my right leg, since it was the left knee area which had taken the bulk of the blow. I refused medical treatment, trying to act cool and brush it off as if nothing big had happened.

After a walk to the press box and talk with my wife, I decided to get my knee checked examined. Sanderson pointed out Dr. Christopher Meltsakos.

The Christus Mother Frances orthopedic surgeon assured me, that despite the pain I was just bruised and the ligaments were all in place. He was very kind and calm. I was very concerned and still in shock of being flattened for homecoming.

But I learned a lesson, I got the photos, I didn't break the camera. Now, I have one more story to tell for next homecoming. I might cover it by long distance.