As a young boy, nothing was of greater importance than being with the "big boys". Thus through a twist of fate (or someone's error) that experience was awarded me one Christmas at the Lexington Junior Home when I was 10 or 11 years of age.

It was normal for the older kids to wrap and place name cards on all presents that were distributed to each dorm for placing under the Christmas trees. To my good fortune someone tagged a football with my name. Now this was no ordinary ball: it was not only white but it was also a "regulation" football making it highly desirable for the many "tag" football games played on the quadrangle by the older boys. And I WAS THE OWNER which meant anyone had to have my permission before using it (one of the rules that were observed even by big vs small kids).

To entice me to lend them this "regulation & white" football, the older boys would invite me to join them by being included when sides were chosen. To be sure my contribution to the game was minimal, but it was a great experience for me to be playing along with the "big boys".