Lifelong Chargers fan Scott Lemoine recently sat down and reflected on a unique and special opportunity he was able to experience at Qualcomm Stadium.
A firework launched high into the sky and showers of glimmering shards rained down, vaporizing in clouds of smoke. The final words of the National Anthem had just left the mouth of the angelic vocalist as the crowd of 70,000 rose up from their seats and applauded with much dynamism, anticipating the intense game that lay ahead. The lyrics of “More Bounce in California” were being sung subconsciously by every eager and animated fan. Not only was I on the sideline at Qualcomm Stadium, I was the ball boy for San Diego Chargers.
The duty of the Charger’s ball boy is to grab the kickoff tee after every kickoff as fast as he possibly can. This task also came along with its benefits, like watching the game from the sideline and sharing the players’ emotions as the game progressed.
I looked around and saw all of the rampant fans who were sporting blue and yellow with pride. The touchdown cannon fired, when all of the starting players lined up in the large inflated helmet which housed the players on the field until they were introduced. I could feel the ground shaking as the fans screamed, clapping, and stomping their feet as each starter went by. The energetic voice of the announcer echoed deafeningly through the stands, speaking a familiar football language only known by fans. I could see the tension and nervousness of each player as they lined up on the sideline benches, jumping and stretching to prepare for the match.
The coin had been flipped. The Chargers decided to kick off the ball, with the assurance that they would get the ball at halftime. The Chargers kicker, Nate Kaeding was finishing up his practice kicking and sprinted to his position on the field. The volume of the music escalated with the volume of the voices of the crowd.
The ball was kicked. I saw my signal to go. I sprinted, adrenal glands secreting the hormone which would fuel me on my mission. My destination was only 30 yards away.
The stands went silent, as if someone had hit the mute button on the television. I concentrated on my footsteps to prevent tripping and being humiliated by the masses. My feet felt as light as air allowing me to glide across the turf at the fastest speed I have sprinted. All of the pressure was on me; it was my time to shine in the spotlight. The crowd which had surrounded me had become a blur, for time had seemed to be moving in slow motion. The tee was now directly under me. My palms were sweaty, and I was unconfident that I would be able to hold onto the tee securely. I held onto the tee as if it were my soul and was wanted by devil.
On the sprint back to the sideline, the wind had chilled the lukewarm sweat which was covering my face. As I ran off the field, I caught Jamal Williams saying, “Good job, buddy.” I was shocked. One of my greatest idols had just spoken to me! I had never been spoken to by a NFL player before.
While I was looking at the scoreboard, I heard many voices scream, “Watch Out!” With the aid of my lightning reflexes, I dove out of the way from a 215 pound linebacker. I could see the perspiration rolling down his face, soaking into his sweat-stained jersey. I watched his defined muscles contract, pushing him off the ground and getting him ready for the next play. I was overcome with fear, but I had felt invincible; I succeeded with my mission of retrieving the tee.
On the ride home I took time for reflection. I experienced the most thrilling and exciting day of my life, working as the ball boy. Never had I felt such a rush of adrenaline through my body. I anticipated the game to be fun, but nowhere near as exciting as it turned out to be. Watching the game on a plasma HDTV is one thing, while participating in the game at Qualcomm Stadium was another.
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Lifelong Chargers fan Scott Lemoine recently sat down and reflected on a unique and special opportunity he was able to experience at Qualcomm Stadium. 
