How do you describe how it feels to see your child’s dream realized. I can’t say we got all the way there, but today and tonight but to see him in his element and meeting and greeting who he wants to be his peers and learning so much and having all his future plans fall into place. So many people have asked time and time again, has Daniel always wanted to do this? Yes, he has always wanted to be a sports analyst and involved in football, but now the opportunity has presented itself faster and more fortuitous than ever expected and no one can deny he deserves it. But talk about making the most of it. I can’t tell you how proud it makes me that Daniel is not only enjoying the opportunities he is being given he is making the most of them. He is learning so much and taking more and more from each experience. For example with each professional he meets, in each area of expertise, he takes it all in and learns something new. He is refining what he wants to become and learning more and more about what he will need to do to get there. I marvel at his wisdom and focus. Whose child is this? He impresses me so much and I was just teary the entire day as I watched him work. I walked him into Sports Authority Field making sure he knew where he had to go and meeting up with his contact person who would take him around all day and give him this (hopefully not once in a lifetime) experience. Once they connected I left them to do their thing. I knew it was time to let him be on his own and give him some space. I know he didn’t want mom and dad holding him back so we left and decided to just check in later. Well little did I know by the time we got back he was going to be front and center live on-air at the bar in the front of the stadium with probably a couple hundred people watching. Wholly geez, he didn’t even flinch, I couldn’t believe how comfortable he looked up there in between Andy Lindahl, seasoned sports analyst and broadcaster and Jeb Putzier, former Denver Bronco. He didn’t say much but he was involved for the whole show and learned an important facet of the job. As we joined the watching the show we met another broadcaster and Bronco that introduced themselves to us and said they had met Daniel and this extremely large man shook my hand and said how inspiring my son was and that he met Daniel and that Daniel gave him his business card and that he would really, really like to be on Daniel’s radio show. To hear that my son was inspiring is an amazing thing. We watched him finish up this show then be whisked away to his next appearance. Andy had a pretty tight schedule and we commoners were not included. Rob and I skulked off to our regular seats while Daniel went into the bowels of the stadium and learned what broadcasters do. Daniel later reported many highlights of his afternoon like the hub of the technical room and much, much more . Actually one of the highlights was a hot media girl calling him handsome but he would probably be really mad if I divulged that part. He told us how he stood beside Bob Costas and peaked in and saw Chris Colllingsworth and someone else I can’t remember. Remember to Daniel this is the pinnacle of his sports world. This is what he would be in our living room watching on Sunday and now he is in the middle of it. Can you imagine. All the while he is mentally taking notes and learning snippets along the way. I can’t believe all the details he told me. He spoke to Brian Griesse who he spent some time visiting with very early in his hospital stay last summer. Brian was very generous with his time and Daniel has contacted him a few times since then. When they met again today Brian remembered him. Again, tears welled in my eyes knowing how far he has come. Andy spent the whole afternoon introducing him to many, many people. Some of the people were those that got him started in the business and Andy is paying it forward. I think he is serious when he says that he sees Daniel coming for his job. Interestingly enough, Daniel told me tonight that he thinks he needs to learn more about reporting on just sports so that he knows more than just that. Well that is the person that I would like to have met and given a big hug to today. And this was all before game time.
Once game time started Daniel was on the sidelines for the entire time. I know there was a game going on but I don’t think Rob and I watched any of it. We were so excited for him to be so close to his favorite team. So many people were texting us asking who Daniel was cheering for. Daniel was all work and representing the hospital while on the field but once up in the stands he would change into his GB Packers gear and be a total CheeseHead and believe me, this fan can hold his own in an opposing crowd. But watching him on that field I had so many feelings. I worried he was going to be sore and tired from the physical demand of all the standing and walking. He was back and forth and back and forth 100 yards, 100 yard but you know what? He was in his glory and there was no way he was ever going to complain. I sent him with Tylenol and there was not a chance he was going to sit down or call it a day. I already knew that. But as I was watching him with the radio head gear and not knowing what was really, technically going on I was worried he wasn’t having a good time. What was he really experiencing. It was supposed to be the game of the year. His favorite team and he wasn’t cheering, he wasn’t even smiling. I know this because I was watching him through binoculars the entire time. The whole time I couldn’t wait to hear what he was thinking. I knew he wasn’t going to be enjoying the game as if he was watching it at home or even from the stands but I couldn’t wait to hear what he thought about seeing Aaron Rodgers 10 feet in front of him. Andy said he had one job, to watch out for himself and not get hit by a player or ball. My thought was more like just don’t go rouge and group Julius Peppers or Clay Matthews. He succeed and behaved and I think made the most of his day. He met so many new people and learned so many new facets of his future business. I couldn’t be happier for him. I can’t speak for him but I don’t think he was okay that his Packers didn’t win. I know someone had to win and someone had to loose and just because he had a good experience still doesn’t make it okay that they lost. I know he was very conflicted and I was for him but all and all I thing the day ended in a win for Daniel. Daniel promised to send me pictures from his perspective tomorrow so I will post those then. We have a huge day of tests at the hospital.
Once game time started Daniel was on the sidelines for the entire time. I know there was a game going on but I don’t think Rob and I watched any of it. We were so excited for him to be so close to his favorite team. So many people were texting us asking who Daniel was cheering for. Daniel was all work and representing the hospital while on the field but once up in the stands he would change into his GB Packers gear and be a total CheeseHead and believe me, this fan can hold his own in an opposing crowd. But watching him on that field I had so many feelings. I worried he was going to be sore and tired from the physical demand of all the standing and walking. He was back and forth and back and forth 100 yards, 100 yard but you know what? He was in his glory and there was no way he was ever going to complain. I sent him with Tylenol and there was not a chance he was going to sit down or call it a day. I already knew that. But as I was watching him with the radio head gear and not knowing what was really, technically going on I was worried he wasn’t having a good time. What was he really experiencing. It was supposed to be the game of the year. His favorite team and he wasn’t cheering, he wasn’t even smiling. I know this because I was watching him through binoculars the entire time. The whole time I couldn’t wait to hear what he was thinking. I knew he wasn’t going to be enjoying the game as if he was watching it at home or even from the stands but I couldn’t wait to hear what he thought about seeing Aaron Rodgers 10 feet in front of him. Andy said he had one job, to watch out for himself and not get hit by a player or ball. My thought was more like just don’t go rouge and group Julius Peppers or Clay Matthews. He succeed and behaved and I think made the most of his day. He met so many new people and learned so many new facets of his future business. I couldn’t be happier for him. I can’t speak for him but I don’t think he was okay that his Packers didn’t win. I know someone had to win and someone had to loose and just because he had a good experience still doesn’t make it okay that they lost. I know he was very conflicted and I was for him but all and all I thing the day ended in a win for Daniel. Daniel promised to send me pictures from his perspective tomorrow so I will post those then. We have a huge day of tests at the hospital.