"It's An Ill Wind That Blows No Good"

My grandson Jason is in the 11th grade of high school up here in McLean , VA....and just like his grand daddy,  me, he "blew out" his left knee playing sports for his high school.
Lordy, Lordy, I suffered that same type injury when I was in the 11th grade. 

And I remember how painful that was!  A 2 hundred and 50 pound bowling ball  shaped kid named
"Peanut" came running from 30 yards away and hit my leg the same time I caught the ball from my punt return position. The brand new cleats I was wearing remained firmly in the ground as he slammed into me....and ended my dreams of "football glory" for that year.

Never did it ever cross my mind that it would also change the direction of my life.

As you recall, there was a draft going on by the time we graduated from college, and I was fully prepared to serve my time.....as a grunt.   Private first class....that is.

I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but there was no war going on at that time...so they really didn't need me.

My poor left eye disqualified me from being an "officer"......however, it was explained to me that even "one eyed" men were qualified to be privates!

Two to four years......peeling potatoes...and who knows what all?

Not good!

But, here comes the "good" part of that otherwise "ill wind."

I flunked the Army physical because of my permanent knee injury.

I was 4F!

So my chosen civilian career went on as hoped....2 years at Charlotte's WSOC-TV...then to ny "drean job" at Washington's CBS affiliate, WTOP-TV and Radio.

Met the "love of my life" there........married her...

and the rest is history.

Oh, I never did give credit to where credit is due......

Thanks,  Peanut!

-Ed