Playing in “The Game” as a senior is what every Rye football player dreams about, from the time they put on a Pee-Wee uniform until – finally – the opening kick-off sails through the air.

 

Playing in “The Game” as a senior is what every Rye football player dreams about, from the time they put on a Pee-Wee uniform until – finally – the opening kick-off sails through the air.

 

Sometimes, however, life gets in the way and players suffer a bad break – literally. There have been many Garnets sidelined during what’s supposed to be their moment, and for most – like 1984 graduate Bill Eggers – it’s a “traumatic moment”.

 

“I had a big cast on my leg, with ‘Hang the Huskies’ in big red and black letters down the side and all my friends’ signatures in red or black pens,” said Eggers. “But, to be sitting on the sideline was devastating. I probably didn’t stop crying until halftime, hence the sunglasses you see in the picture.”

 

Matt McReddie, a senior captain on last year’s team, also had the misfortune of being injured during “The Game”.

 

“I felt horrible that I couldn’t help my team out on the field, but I used my injury to inspire my teammates and to make sure they knew how lucky they were to be able to play,” said McReddie. “I knew my teammates had me in their hearts all day, and my own heart was full of feeling for them.”

 

He added, “When I think about the 2010 Rye-Harrison game, being injured is just an afterthought. I felt just as accomplished and proud as any Garnet on the field, or – more importantly – in the Brook.”

 

– Jim Byrne