Red-headed grandchild scores big at ECU football game
Mike Parker
Freedom ENC

On Saturday, Oct. 1, I had the privilege of introducing my grandson Jaxen to the marvelous world of college football. - College Football -

When Lydia asked if I could keep him, I told her I had tickets to East Carolina's game, so if Jaxen stayed with me, he would have to go to the game. She assured me Jaxen would enjoy afootball outing with Papa.

Frankly, I was a little apprehensive. We would have to make a hefty walk from our parking spot to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Would a crowd of 35,000-plus intimidate the little fellow?

Still, I had a few aces in the hole. Food, for one. Jaxen likes hot dogs, pizza, Skittles, popcorn, and gummy bears - and the concession stands offer all these and more. Jaxen's beverages of choice are milk or water, and the concession stands sell water. - College Football -

My seats in the upper deck provide a commanding view of the field. Would Jaxen appreciate that view? Restrooms are right around the corner, so potty breaks would not be a problem.

When traveling with a small child, cover all essentials.

The game started, the crowd cheered, the cannon boomed - and Jaxen held his ears.

"It's loud," he observed.

"Yes. Remember: Papa told you it would be loud."

Then Jaxen discovered the railing in front of my seats and quickly found he could stand on the railing to improve his view. - College Football -

As he stood on the second rail directly in front of me, he suddenly turned loose and fell back into me. Although startled, I caught him. Jaxen had just invented the game he would play the rest of the first half.

He would yell "Drop!" and then fall backwards into my arms. After four or five drops, he'd turn his face toward mine. - College Football -

"Is it over yet?"

"No, not yet," I'd reply.

"Yes, it is," he would assure me.

"No, it isn't," I'd mutter, looking around him to see the action on the field.

"Yes it is," he'd sing-song back. - College Football -

"Jaxen, you don't get to say when the game is over. See that clock on the scoreboard. It will tell us when the game is over."

After a potty run at the half, we stopped at the concession stands - again. During the first half, he ate a hot dog sans bun, the biggest part of a slice of Papa John's pizza, and most of a bag of Skittles.

At the start of the second half, he asked for gummy bears. I noted that the gummy bears were mostly fruit juice, so I acquiesced. Instead of playing "Drop!" and asking his favorite question, he sat beside me, or on me, and consumed gummy bears. Then he began working on a tub of popcorn. - College Football -

Just how wired will this kid be on the way home?

I needn't have worried. Before we cleared the Greenville city limits I heard a deep, raspy breathing from the car seat in the backseat - and knew that Jaxen had run off-tackle to that great dreamland end zone. - College Football -

Sunday morning I asked him if he enjoyed the game.

"Yes, sir!" he said.

I am not certain which game he meant, but I am pretty sure he was not talking about football.

The Free Press.