Learning Quarterbacks

Remember these? If you're a football fan, you likely had a set of these or know someone who owned a set. My brother had a set. The Dallas Cowboys was the coveted pencil, of course. The Houston Oilers might've been a distant second.

These pencils played a different role in my life.

I was able to use these pencils to learn the names of all - what were then - 28 teams of the National Football League.

The National Football League was the entertainment my dad most enjoyed, it seemed. I'm sure his life was more exciting that watching dudes scrap around some field over a pigskin, and his interests more varied than that, but to his young daughter, the Sunday event of watching football as much as possible from any area in the word to which he was stationed, these were a key to a connection that sparked a life-long interest well into MY adulthood. Watching a Cowboys game in Germany was no easy feat back in the 70s! So you can see why this made such an impact on me.

I remember looking at the team names on each pencil and memorizing them. I'd look up where the cities were located. I then began learning the names of every starting NFL quarterback based on the team names I extrapolated from those two-toned, team-colors-reppin' sticks of wood and lead. I'd memorize a few (Staubach, Pastorini, Griese, Bradshaw....)  then go ask my dad for a few more (Morton, Whitehurst, Theisman, Stabler....). I don't know if he enjoyed the challenge or was annoyed by my inquisition, but I managed to get the names of each quarterback out of him. In retrospect, this was the first "memory" I have of "bonding" with Dad. 

Dad and I remained loyal Dallas Cowboys fans. Dad parted ways with them when Jerry Jones fired Tom Landry, but I manage to hang on, sometimes by a thread. I've grown into an avid football fan (I can do without college, though); I've played in and won a couple fantasy leagues, and I run the work One Pick. I'm no expert but I know enough to hold a more-than-casual conversation with a fellow sports nut.

Furthermore, a little giggle on my part: I noticed these pencils were made by Faber Castell. This is the same brand that My Little One buys for some of her sketches, anime drawings and other art work. A bit of a thread to bind us all together, wouldn't you say?

GO COWBOYS