OT - Did you play or coach?

I played football from 2nd grade through 12th; in SE Michigan (Airport) until 9th grade, then SE Ohio (Federal Hocking) from 10 - 12. I went to college intent on playing baseball, but walked on to the crew team in the fall of my freshman year and loved it. I have not coached, though my brother, dad, uncles, and cousins do.

Played a lot. Wing-T offense and a 4-4 defense. 

OC now in a no-huddle spread and we run a 4-2-5 defense. I'm only 25. The game has changed SO much in a few years. 

Just coached in a spring league - 3rd graders.  Went undefeated.  Ran a very 'pro style' offense where the first play every game on offense was a counter or draw with my RB.  Never had a negative first play all year ...

 

One of the best things I've ever done.

Played as a younger dude, but wound up not playing after about 8th grade.

All through high school and 6 years in college at the a few D1AA schools. Had a tryout with the lions but gave it up after I was cut. It amazing being a good enough player to play in college but then you go practice with the guys in the league and it's a whole different level. I knew after rookie mini camp it was time to hang it up. Coached 1 year of highschool then changed professions. Still miss playing to this day though.

Did not play or coach.  To be honest, football is probably not top 3 in terms of favorite sports for me.  Michigan football is still of course my #1 favorite event to watch or attend.

I was a manager for M in the 80s. Does that count? No one can underhand a spiral from 15 yards a way to the ref like I can.

Played 5th grade through High School. I don't really have any glory days for football. Second string QB on Class B school in Michigan. Baseball was my better game.

Soccer was my main sport but was fortunate to be able to be a kicker part time in high school.  The young lad who picked up my tee after every kick off was none other than Bo's son Schemy Schembechler.  Nicest kid you could meet.  My first ever attempt in a game was a 44 yarder that split the uprights.  Only regret in life, not walking on at Michigan.

Been die hard since kindergarten.  GO BLUE!!!

I played high school ball in SW Michigan at a small school called Pennfield. I was recruited by Western Michigan as a DT/OT, 6'7" 285lbs. A knee injury suffered in a game was the reason my college ball never happened.

My school did not offer football so never played rocket despite wanting to. Bad news? Have a DL body (6-1, 320). Good news? No concussions. My dad did play in college (D3) and blew out both knees so I think he was shielding me from it.

Played baseball, been coaching baseball for a decade.

Played backyard tackle football through high school; played intramural flag at M. :)

Played through HS in the late 80's. Good times. Loved the contact and the camaraderie and was fortunate to be on successful squads and enjoy some teenage glory. 

Played 7th grade thru HS. I wasn't very good, so no real college opportunity out there for me, even DIII. Still miss it from time to time. I doubt that will ever go away.

both.

Did both. I switched from teaching at a high school to a middle school.

have coached now for 10 years.  it helps when blessed with a boatload of sons.  

I played rocket football and in middle school. I was a WR and DE. I scored the most touchdowns my last year in middle school and I know the middle school coach was sad when I played varsity golf the next year instead of football. I wasn't super fast, but ran great routes and never had a drop. 

In my 7th yr of coaching HS now.  Furthest we've made it was state semis last year.

Played Offensive and Defensive Line all through High School.  Started at OT and DE and my main advantages were being quick off the ball and having high grades for assignment execution, I wasn't the biggest guy out there but I had good awareness and technique and that made me effective for Northern Nevada AAA football.  Tried to play football at USAFA, but was a walk-on in the days before you actually had to eat during Basic and so I was trying to play linebacker at 6'3" 180 lb.'s and that went about as well as one would expect.  

I was also a volunteer coach for my high school during my sixty days leave after graduating from the academy and worked with the offensive and defensive lines.  Awesome experience and I had a ton of fun.  It also gave me something to do during the month of August when my academy buddies for the most part were all back to Active Duty(I had to work at the academy airfield during the summer and so had to split my leave, unlike most who did 60 days straight). 

Coaching was great as it gave me a chance to really look at how the whole of the team was constructed and also a chance to do a little teaching, something I have always enjoyed.  For those who have a chance to coach, whetehr it's Little LEague or higher up, I highly recommend it.

started down the coaching path (GA) as dad, uncles and cousins coaches. Awful hours and even worse pay so I left for corporate life. Miss it every day.

Played Youth(2 years), junior high(1), high school(4) and 3 years of DII.  I left D3 ball a year early to get marreid and set the business world on fire.  The marrage was fire as in dumpster fire lasting the longest 1.5 years of my life.  I'm still working on that other fire in the business world - LOL.   

I really Coached 1 year of Youth ball and helped for a few years after.  My job was/is to demanding to really Coach.  I enjoyed working with the lineman. 

I played HS football in the early 70's.  My school 9th to 12 grade started practice together and you kept up with the big boyz or went home to play with dolls with your sister.  At some point of two a days we split up by FR, JV, varsity.  Us 9th graders that gutted out two a days left knowing if we survived that we could do anything.  The man building started there. 

Concussions/injuries?  In the old days you played on.  I had my whole arm went numb and limp one game and I  trotted off the field.  I was met on the sideline by a yelling coach.  After he realized my arm was dead he rubbed it out for two plays where the feeling/movement  was starting to return and I returned to the field to play O & D line. I never left the field junior & senior years.    

Neither. I had epilepsy. My doctor said the risk of neurological injuries as a result of football (and hockey) were probably not worth participating. So I played baseball, basketball and golf. Picked up soccer as an adult

in HS then  OL for two years in college at a I-AA school.   Never coached but have thought about it a lot in recent years.  However, with a full time job and travel requirements i'm not sure how to make that happen.  Loved it and still miss the camraderie quite a bit. 

I was pretty fortunate injury wise.  One likely concussion during spring practice in college, on the goal line going to hit a senior All Conference LB....got dazed and had a nice bloody mouth.  Separated both shoulders, broke my foot and several fingers but no knee issues.  It's hard to get out of bed several days a week but that could be just getting old. 

Played, I was a DE in a 5-2 scheme. I miss it everyday!

Played my whole life from 4/5 to college. Now I wait for my HS alumni games. I am in the same boat as OP for baseball. I've loved watching and playing recreationally since I was a kid. I never played on a team, but understand strategy and concepts behind managerial decisions in game. I love learning more and more about mechanics of different guys swings. I'm a Cubs fan, so I see a lot of Kris Bryant. It's almost a daily thing to hear their PBP guys talking about his swing. His only goal is to hit the ball in the air, and says it's something his dad stressed since he was little. I always think stuff like that is cool.

but I'm also a huge M and Chargers fan!