The Final Show

It's What We Do?

Thanksgiving would never be the same without watching the Cowboys vs. Redskins/Football Team/ Commanders prior to devouring a delicious dinner with the family.?The routine has changed over the years as we’ve left the nest to form new beginnings in other cities. While the family has grown physically apart from each other, the rivalry and traditions remain to reinforce our bond. Even though college football games have intervened with travel and a Friday game, I have fond memories of family gatherings and vivid memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. Two doors down lived the Hernandez family, six boys brainwashed to pull for the Redskins. Believe it or not, we still jab at each other, and, in the end, win or lose, they are like brothers, an extended family.

Like the last six years, we’re on the road, but this year we’re watching the Cowboys game during the drive from Omaha to Lincoln. Cindy was eager to get to Lincoln before halftime to catch the Dolly Parton show. One never knows how the rivalry game will go, but the Cowboys did some damage this year and a win always makes the turkey taste so much better.

A New Beginning

After dinner we had a brief meeting with Marco in our hotel room. The conversation was different than the usual. Marco couldn’t believe the season had gone by so fast. He was recalling coming to Lincoln in mid-December last year for his official visit and by January 2023 he and his fiancé, Maclaine, were moved in ready to begin a new chapter. We briefly talked about “what ifs” and the possibility of many next steps. What if we win? What if we don’t? A bowl game? How great would it be for the seniors to experience one more game? While it’s great to dream with blinders wide open, we knew we had to reel it back in and focus on what we can control and that which is right before us, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Temp Down

We layered up for a cool 34 degree walk to campus and an 11 a.m. kickoff. The sky was gray, a slight chance of snow, and thankfully the wind was calm. The city seemed still like our DFW airport experience the day before. It seemed we were the only ones moving rapidly to not be late and miss the arrival of the team buses. We moved through campus along the familiar path without any interruptions. Analogous to the BIG10 season that just flew by us, I asked Cindy to slow down a bit. We had plenty of time. As in previous low temperature games, the tailgate experience was muted and slow-moving. I was glad to see the group with the loudspeakers playing music to influence the neuro charge of slowly arriving fans. Daft Punk’s One More Time served as a reminder as the beat bounced off the walls of the coliseum and stadium facades. To our left was an SUV full of black and gold tailgaters. I asked them to take a photo with me, the lone Nebraska fan surrounded by Hawks. One guy wasn’t too sure, but his buds went right along.

Husker Power

The Unity Walk was extra special. The embrace went a few seconds longer as if we knew this was the last time we were going to experience this. The “game faces” rolled off the buses with Alan Parsons Project streaming in the background. Once we got our tickets we made our way into the seating bowl, found our seats, and as Senior Parents, we were instructed to meet at the tunnel to access the Huskers weight room for pregame instructions. This day is always quite special. Schools across the country recognize those players who have given themselves to represent a team, a brand, and its storied past. Some young men are on the tail end of their college career, some debating their next steps, or in our son’s case, bringing closure to a great college career and about to begin preparations for the next level. Parents travel from afar to see their son honored during the pregame activities. We experienced Senior Day at TCU with Antonio. We didn’t get a chance to honor Marco while at Florida, but today was our turn in Lincoln celebrating six years of college ball.

As we were waiting in the tunnel, one can’t help but see the projected Nebraska Cornhusker logos and Black Shirts skull and cross bones float across the red turf path. A cart full of foam boxes carrying the world famous Runza sandwiches is being pushed across the path. One of the lids is flipped open by the wind releasing the steam coming off the hot sandwiches. We entered the building and got out of the frigid temperatures and immediately I felt myself thawing out. We were given a lanyard with our names overlaid on Marco’s photo. We were directed to the weight room where we formed a line in sequential order and were given a spot on the field. We walked past the locker room and outdoors to the old tunnel path to access the field at the northwest corner. We stood at the corner of the endzone, and the linemen were warming up right in front of us. I could see the Iowa team warming up on the south end of the field. We were positioned at the North 25-yard line. One by one, players’ names were called out and featured on the big video board and ribbon boards. After a quick pose with Coach Rhule, Marco trotted out to meet us. He handed his mom a bouquet of red roses and gave us both a huge hug. I can see what Marco means when there are times when he can’t hear the crowd. It felt like everything around me, even the cold, was frozen for a fleeting moment in time. Just long enough to treasure the beautiful opportunities we’ve had for six seasons.

Turn the Page

As we made our way back to our seats, I could sense the vibe taking a turn. I must have still been in the zone from our on-field experience. I was entranced by the black and gold, the large Iowa flag, the red smoke-filled northeast corner, and the Huskers taking the field one last time. The National Anthem and flyover seemed to have my head on a swivel, north to south and back to the field. I turned my attention to number 45 standing at the 50-yard line. Marco was designated as one of four team captains to represent the team at midfield for the coin toss. What an honor and a nice composition as the backdrop color palette was a Red Sea and sporadic gold tops.

There is no need for play by play, but I don’t think anybody could have scripted this rivalry game. I’ve heard people say it’s always ugly. Two blocked field goals, turnovers, close replays, momentum shifts, tight score, a missed go ahead field goal, big defensive stops, and an unfortunate interception leading to a walk-off game-winning field goal…by the wrong team.

“Ice It”

This one left me dumbfounded. I couldn’t believe how close the Huskers got to “go bowling.” I know I scripted that much in my head, and I positively put it out there in the universe. A hard blow to the gut. The kind that completely takes the air out of you. I saw tears being shed by players and families as the long embraces spoke volumes.

Back in high school, our head trainer, Coach Swisher, had a great response to pain after a game. One would walk into the training room complaining of aches and pains and his response was always, “Ice It!”

The Sunday morning pace matched the slow falling snow. The gloomy sky and the large snowflakes created a calming and subdued effect. An end to the fall season, winter is upon us. It’s like icing after a game, an attempt to numb the pain. The loss weighs heavily on me as a parent, and I know ice is not going to cut it.

Connections and Legacy

Although the game didn’t end as we hoped, it is usually in these tougher moments where I reflect and think about the big picture. My personal journey as a football parent as well as my professional adventures as a sports designer cross paths regularly – allowing me to connect with incredible people along the way. That’s how I feel about my friend, David Pillen – someone I have known for years and had the chance to meet up with during the Iowa game. He and I first met at an HKS-hosted event several years ago in Dallas, and we have stayed in touch ever since. David is the Associate Athletic Director of External Relations at Rice University – fun fact: HKS designed the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center, so whenever I am in Houston for business, I get to catch up with him.

The Nebraska/Iowa game, when the Huskers are at home, is a tradition for the Pillen family to attend. He has a strong connection to the school, a legacy you could say — his dad is a former Nebraska linebacker, David played there for a year before transferring to Abilene Christian, a brother who played golf at Nebraska, and him and his wife met at the university and their first-born daughter is named Lincoln, after Lincoln, NE. Oh, and his uncle is the governor of Nebraska!

This concept of connection and legacy had me thinking this past week about the gift it is to have those. Families, including mine, are scattered across the country, but we have common ground in coming together for special events/occasions, and that is what this game was for me – a weekend that brought together family, friends, connections from all over ironically over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“…and in the end…”

Once the game was over, we dragged our feet to leave our seats. We moved slowly toward the northeast corner to meet Marco. The cold wind was still whirling through the tunnel. We decided to stop within the tunnel before heading out into the open. Cindy decided to post up against a large column to block the wind. As she put her back to the column, I faced her and directly above her is a sign that reads, “WHAT’S NEXT.” How appropriate.

In the week building up to the Iowa game, Marco received a couple of accolades. He is one of ten semi-finalists for the The Patrick Mannelly Award which recognizes the top college long snapper in the country. Special Teams University tagged Marco with a 2nd Team All-American recognition. NFL agents have been reaching out to Marco and he was faced with deciding to go with representation he felt was the best fit. Over brunch with Maclaine and her sister, Whitney, Marco announced that he had decided on an agent and was accepting an invite to play in the 2024 Hula Bowl, a post-season?college football ?all-star game ?held annually, usually in January. Antonio played in the 2022 Hula Bowl and gave him good exposure as he prepared for the NFL draft. It was the closest thing to a nice Thanksgiving dinner with family. We are grateful for all the blessings and excited about the next steps.

Somewhere during the weekend, I came across an interesting quote. I can’t seem to recall exactly where I saw or heard the quote. A quick search online came up short. The quote sums up what we have been through and what Follow Fred, as a creative outlet, has offered as a platform to share stories.

“There are so many beautiful stories out there. Many I will never encounter, but I will cherish those which I came to know.”

It’s been a joy to carve out time weekly to document my experiences. I’m excited for the next posting of Follow Fred. For now, remember to move with a heightened sense of awareness, lead with an attitude of gratitude and above all else, “…the love you take is equal to the love you make…”

Yours truly,

Fred Ortiz, HKS