Wednesday, July 13, 2011

In or Out?

When I was just a youngin', I used to spend a good deal of time at my grandfather's  home during the summer (his antics have been mentioned at the end of this blog). While being "watched" by my grandfather and Macaw (mentioned in this blog), I used to spend a lot of time outside (they have a huge yard). After a bit of time, I would get hungry and thirsty (five mins after I started playing...remember I was large and embraced elastic) and want to roll back in. My grandpa, who was as deaf as you could be, would rage anytime he heard the door re-open. 
Grandpa / Big Al

So, after one or two times, he would storm down from his upper living room and meander to the front door. He would stand at the door, looking like Big Al from the Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland, stare down at me, and say "What the hell, Christopher!!! Either you are in or are you are out!!!" I would mumble a bit and say "Huh, what do you mean Grandpa?" His response was "Enough of all the noise (please remember, a bike could hear better than him). EITHER YOU ARE IN OR OUT!!!" And, right at that moment, I would have to make a decision that would last the rest of my life - or until lunch....Macaw was a softy:) Well, being a young boy and wanting to check out his massive yard (even had a creek!), I would say out. He would not bat an eye, shut the door, turn the knob and click....door was locked. Done. I was out and that was that.


Great story Rubio, but what's the point? Like my Grandpa said to me at the door, I need to say to you right now. Are you in or are you out? Not necessarily being in regards to a house, but to your Long Snapping. Sit back and really think about yourself and your glorious craft. Are you in or or out with your snapping?

Are you just going through the motions and out?  Does this sound familiar: showing up at a camp or two, snapping some average balls, acting like you don't care if someone beats you in a competition, never doing any drills on your own, waiting for someone to ask you to snap?


Or....are you in? Coming prepared to each camp, snapping some great balls, always doing your drills (come on man, how hard is it...I have given you tons that you can do in an air-conditioned room!), begging people to catch your snaps and really, truly wanting to be the best Long Snapper in the country?

If you fit more into the first category, you might as well stop wasting my time, your time and your parent's money. Like I always say, if you are going to do something, you might as well go full speed and do it right!

So, what is it? Are you in or out?

3 comments:

  1. Gabriel MillerJuly 13, 2011 6:31 PM

    Rubio,

    This is Gabriel, and I just wanted you to know that I am ALL in! I have your blogs plastered around the house, and your encouragement at the camp is priceless. Trust me I beg EVERYONE to catch my snaps. Unfortunately the faster and harder they get the harder it is to find willing catchers! Have a great night, and thanks again.

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  2. You had us at "in" from the very beginning Rubio.
    Kelly is where he is today because of your vision and his desire to become one of the best of 2011.
    Next Month I send him on to Kentucky, knowing he is exactly where he wants to be. You are a fantastic Mentor.

    Tonia Mason

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  3. Double well done! Thank you both for reading the blog and being "in"

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