I have been feeling older lately.  Different parts hurt.  Clothes don’t quite fit right.  Gray is the predominant color on my head.  Basically, I have begun to realize that age is starting to catch up to me.  Throw in the fact that I am not exactly a slick, well-maintained, Sunday driver kind of unit.  There has been some self-inflicted hard miles.  

Today, the Shattuck FFA was judging livestock at the State Fair of OK.  We went to Earl’s BBQ for lunch.  I got my glass of iced tea and moved towards the register.  There was one older man standing there.  Waiting for his to-go order.  I looked at him.  Did a double-take.  I asked one of the kids if they knew who that man was.  She shook her head”No”.

I then spoke to the man.  I said, “Coach Switzer.”  He stiffly turned and said, “Yes sir.”  I asked if he remembered doing any quail hunting near Shattuck, OK.  He got excited and we had a bit of a conversation about quail near Shattuck and Vici, OK.  He mentioned that he wished that he could walk all day like he used to while hunting birds.  Even though he is an iconic ou sooner, he was nothing but polite.  

Now, here’s what makes it official.  The kids and I sat down and waited on our meal.  These were all freshman & sophomores.  I asked if anybody knew who that man was.  One of them asked, with eyebrow cocked showing the uncertainty of her answer, “Is he an old football coach?”  I said, “Yes.  That was Barry Switzer.”  None of the other kids knew who Barry Switzer was.  Without a doubt, he was the most recognizable Oklahoman during the 70s, 80s, 90s and arguably the 2000s.  

Switzer is still on tv commercials.  I’ve seen him on numerous espn and other sports shows recently.  But, I guess the younger ones are watching the same things.  Although I am a true Okie State Cowboy, I just assumed that EVERY Oklahoman knew who Barry Switzer was and is.   But, no it is official.  That’s just how old people think.

On a good note, the kids had a good first day at the State Fair of OK.  No, we didn’t win any hardware at the judging, but they weren’t far off the pace.  But we did have a student win the overall grand champion grass board display, another won the FFA news reporting contest and Duke had the overall grand champion ag mechanics project.  A bunch of others placed really well.  Great kids!

Have a good one and a better tomorrow.