When some people are asked “What is the greatest time of your life,” they may have to think a little bit before answering. For me, I always think back to one weekend in my life that is second to none. I got to play in my first varsity game, and experience the trip of a lifetime all in one weekend. This was by far the best weekend of my life.

It was freshman year, during the middle of September. Life was great. I was playing both freshman and JV football which meant I had two games a week. School wasn’t too difficult yet and my favorite NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers, were still undefeated. I was very happy to wake up every day and see what that day had in store for me. This is when my Uncle Doug called my dad and me to see if we would like to go out to San Francisco to watch them play the Dallas Cowboys, which happened to be his favorite team. But that’s not even the best part. The man he was getting tickets from, a co-worker at his school in Missouri, happened to be Jim Harbaugh’s brother in law. Jim Harbaugh is the head coach of the 49ers. So hearing this, we obviously jumped at the opportunity.

As the week went on, I got more and more anxious each day waiting to leave on Friday. However, later in the week, I got pulled into Coach Tighe’s office. He told me there was an injury and he would like me to suit up on Friday for the varsity game. So upon hearing this I instantly said yes. I went home and told my parents. They were about as happy as I was. However, they reminded me that we were supposed to leave for San Francisco on Friday. I was forced with a huge decision, risk not being on varsity, or missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to a 49ers game with great tickets. Thankfully, my dad wanted both things to happen just like me, so he found a different flight for that Saturday.

Friday comes along and on the bus ride I start to think about what’s about to happen. What if I get in, how will I do? I then realized that was not very likely and just relaxed and tried to enjoy the moment.

The game was underway, and it was a freezing night. We were playing CMB, and it was their homecoming so they came out fired up and ready to play. I was on the sideline enjoying the game, then all of a sudden I hear people screaming, “Where’s Peed?” Without thinking I tore off my jacket and strapped on my helmet. I was sent into the game. I was very cold and nervous, but once I got out there I didn’t even realize it due to the adrenaline. A few plays come and go, then the quarterback drops back, all of sudden, the ball is in my hands and I’m getting tackled. I intercepted the pass, however, it was called back for a pass interference penalty. We went on to win the game and my focus switched to San Francisco.

We flew out mid morning on Saturday and arrived in San Francisco late afternoon. There wasn’t much time to do anything so we just met my uncle and went to the hotel and slept. We woke up early Sunday morning and we called Jimmy, my uncle’s friend who had the tickets, to see where we should meet him. He told us to catch a cab and come to Jim Harbaugh’s house,I couldn’t believe it. Even though he had already left for the game, it was still cool being able to go to an NFL coach’s house. We got there and met the rest of his family. After a little while, police showed up. Not only did we get to go to his house and meet his family, we got a police escort the game. It was so cool just weaving through traffic and having people stop just so we could get to the stadium. We get to the game and we get to sit with his family in the suite. If you don’t know where the 49ers play, it’s not a very nice stadium, so the suite was not a great view for the game. So at halftime, my dad, uncle, Jimmy, and I all went onto the field to watch the second half of the game from the sidelines. It was also a great game that went into overtime. However, on the Cowboy’s first possession, they would end up winning the game. Even though they lost, that was the coolest thing I have ever done.

I am very thankful to have been able to experience this whole weekend. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and by far, the best weekend of my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.