Jerry Summers
Before the days of $6-$10 coffee lattes, non-payment of student loans, BMW-Honda-Audi modes of transportation, etc. for the college crowd before and after World War II, the mode of entertainment for the pre-puberty participants was the game named above.
An empty can of beans, chili, Campbells sodium laced soup, etc. after being consumed by the family because of economic necessity became the soccer ball vessel of choice played in a non-speed hump or bike lane boulevard.
In a game reminiscent of present day soccer (without the expensive shoes and uniforms) the blue jeans attired squads with non-designer made holes in the sturdy denim apparel paired off at the end of the non-pot hole pavement and proceeded to “kick the can” with their Uncle Herman’s Shoe Store school day specials through an imaginary goal with the tin missile.
Although the participants were not being compensated for the use of their name in the 5-12 year old category, the competition was just as fierce.
With a 11-year old super star nickname of “Carl The Can Kicker”, the combatants engaged in fierce competition until the aroma of the meal of choice and mom/dads welcoming cry to come inside, say a prayer of thanks and then feast on a mess of vegetables, meat, sweet milk, homemade pie, etc. ended the hard fought combat.
No one worried about getting shot in the streets and when the lights went out at night who worried about whether you forgot to lock the door!
(Progress and “re-imagining” is great but the past wasn’t that bad either!)
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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com