Sports Then and Now

Country singer Kenny Chesney's new song harkens back to his days playing high school football.

It isn’t often that we use this site to promote or rave about a current movie, book or song, but my wife recently shared with me a great song and video that I think will bring back some fond memories for anyone who ever played little league or high school football or who has followed college or professional football.

Country singer Kenny Chesney was a high school football player and his new song “The Boys of Fall” recaptures the memories and feel of putting on shoulder pads and a helmet and squaring off against a rival school on a Friday night.

While the song itself is nice, it is the accompanying video that really brings things home and will jar your memories.

It starts with current New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton back at his old high school talking about how he remembers the smells and emotions of playing under the lights.

Then once the song starts there is an incredible montage that includes little league and high school kids along with clips from college and professional players that will be familiar to any fan of the game.

Seeing short shots of Roger Staubach, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Steve Spurrier, Ken Stabler, Franco Harris, Archie Manning and many others brought back wonderful memories.

The video ends with an emotional “pep talk” from a high school coach who talks about being out on the field for the last time and then cuts to a brief talk by legendary coach Bear Bryant.

For anyone who has spent Friday nights in the stands or on the field and who loves football, it is a video you don’t want to miss.