Curry Brothers lead Bloomingdale Bears Senior AFC Gold Football Team to the Super bowl on Nov.14th!
Football has always been a first love for Kevin, Tony, and Brian Curry. After they led their team to winning The National Championship in Flag Football back in 2007, it was still never easy to walk away from playing the game. Little did they know that Football...was only just about to begin for them!
Dylan Curry (son of Kevin Curry) had just turned a fresh 6 years old in the Spring of 2008 and he was all signed up for his first year of football. To my surprise, those pads and all that equipment they had on him weren't just for "extra" protection!! Dylan was on that field to play TACKLE FOOTBALL! And to no surprise at all, there was Dylan's Dad Kevin and his two Uncles, Tony and Brian right there beside him on that field!! To this day, those Curry brothers have continued to be right there beside Dylan, Every..Single..Step..Of..The..Way.......and here we are today, years later approaching our final game!
Today, after Kevin has coached our son Dylan Curry with his brothers Tony and Brian since he was 6 years old, have finally...I repeat...they have finally made it to the Super bowl! The game will be held on Saturday November 14th on the field of Benedictine University at 7pm with our Senior AFC Gold team who play for the Bloomingdale Bears!!
This journey has by far been the most rewarding. I personally cannot thank the families of these boys enough for their continual dedication and constant support to their children, the organization, and the game itself. The team simply would not run as successfully as it has this year without it being an entire GROUP effort. From covering concessions, to chain gang, announcers, scoreboard, parents videotaping the games for us, to parents taking beautiful pictures of our boys in action at every game and sharing, to all the halftime, drinks, and after game snacks! The list simply goes on and on! I thank the coaches for setting this "Team Family" spirit that have intrigued all of our parents to be so engaged and therefore, resulting in the success of our numerous festivities and volunteering activities throughout this season.
Now, back to journey…does it get any better than 3 brothers being able to coach their son/nephew for all of these years together, All the while showcasing that family element to the field for these boys, and in their final year of coaching, to be able to lead their team to the Super bowl? Well, winning of course would always be nice, but more importantly, it's about what will forever be instilled in these boys after this final game is played. And for the coaches…it's about a new approaching phase in life.
As this is Dylan's last year in the BGYFL since he will be entering High School next year, the coaches now have something to seriously consider. It will be letting go and entrusting in all that they have put into for Dylan and the team and simply have to watch from the stands after this season will come to an end. Easier said than done, I'm sure! Even for me! I'm used to the hectic schedules between work, the kids, and making sure I do my part as the Team Manager. I myself have gotten used to being on those sidelines as well! So next year for all of us Curry's, could mean that Dylan will begin to carry on The Curry Football Legacy on his own next year, that will not include Dad, or his Uncles, or me(Mom) on the field. A hard truth for all of us to swallow as Football has been an entire family affair. The good thing is, when you have coaches such as Kevin, Tony, and Brian, I need not to worry about the success my son will have in the future along with the rest of the boys that we've been blessed to encounter. Instead, I can already foresee the proud moments that are yet in store for us all.
Additionally, over the years I've been able to witness firsthand the heart that the Curry brothers put into these kids. Their commitment, their passion, and their absolute love for the game as well as for all of the boys they have ever had the honor to coach, is completely commendable and admirable. It's been like watching grown men with their whole hearts on their sleeves for the past 8 years.
With that, I've realized, Football is more than a game...it really is a True Love, and I can see how it can be a First Love. Football is Family. It's more for these coach's than winning the Super bowl, it's building a strong foundation for these boys that will stick with them throughout their entire life. For these coach's, it IS all about the kids, and even beyond Football. The coaches want to get them their win, for them! Our Senior AFC Team has fought tooth and nail to be in this position. This Super bowl win is for our boys. I don't believe these boys will be denied there win either! As for the coaches, I think about the moment they walk onto that field together…as brothers….as a family, which is what the Curry's represent, and what I see has been embedded in these boys. Family. For the Curry brother's, walking on the field this Saturday as the Brothers and Coach's that led their team to the Super bowl in their final year , with their whole hearts yet again, one last time on their sleeves. I can see them trying to delay the inevitable. Watching the play clock end, and whether win or lose, knowing they will have to say good bye to another chapter of that true love they call football ...and probably the most cherished, and sacred chapter yet!
I'm so proud of my husband and his two brothers for all that they have done for Dylan as an evolving exceptionally elite quarterback, and all of the football players they've coached. The Curry brothers are in a league all of their own! I've heard countless times of all of the boys say how much FUN they are having. From practices, to homecoming, to TP'ing, after game parties, film review nights with pizza and ice cream, to the unforgettable smiles that I have seen on the faces of each and every one of our boys on The Bloomingdale Bears Senior AFC Gold team...My husband Kevin and his brother's Tony and Brian have definitely left their stamp on that home field in Circle Park when we played our last game there just recently. I believe their coaching has set the bar for what athletic programs should look for when electing their coaching staff.
As the coaches have naturally left their mark with the Bloomingdale Bears, I know that each of our boys on the Senior AFC Gold team and many other players, have most certainly, and positively hold a special place in each of the coach's heart's.
As this special chapter is vastly approaching its expiry, I know the coaches and the kids are savoring every moment they have together this week during practice. Maybe the boys don't get it right now, but one day when they look back, I know they will. The Senior AFC Gold team of Bloomingdale can't wait to put it all out there on that field this Saturday during their long awaited opportunity to play in the Super bowl, as for the coaches, they too will leave it all on the field for these boys one last time, hearts and all.