“I don’t know how Taylor Swift does it.”
I never imagined hearing those words being said by my husband, Chuck.
A year ago, I’m not sure he would have known anything about Taylor Swift except that two of his granddaughters were going to see her on her Eras Tour. Emma Leonard would go to Los Angeles, and Abby Baker would go to Nashville. Chuck Leonard would have had a come-apart if he knew how much their tickets cost.
Chuck could not name one Taylor Swift song. That changed when Taylor started dating football player Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Travis was a better man than she had ever dated. Better than her wildest dreams. She would leave her cruel summer, put on her cardigan, and begin again with a new lover who is fearless. Football would never be the same. Swifties became instant fans, although they left a blank space when asked to explain a blitz or where the red zone is located.
Her appearance at games created an epic collision between music fans and football fans. Her fans swiftly began to follow the Chiefs and were obsessed with Taylor sightings in the important people suite during the KC Chiefs’ games. The field between the goalposts seemed enchanted with a lavender haze whenever Taylor Swift was in the house.
Photo provided
During a game, football fans watch anxiously to see if, after a tackle, Travis can get up and shake it off. If he gets hurt, there will be bad blood between Taylor and whoever harms the prince in her love story. Taylor is a firm believer in karma.
Taylor might sing, “I’ll leave teardrops on my guitar if the Chiefs don’t make the playoffs. Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.
My husband now knows all too well how it feels to have a full agenda of press interviews and places to be. As he keeps the scoreboard for the Colts for the final game of his 40-year side gig, never missing a Colts home game (over 400), he has toured the Indy news circuit for the past week. Three TV stations, WISH, WXIN, and WTHR, and two news publications, The Hamilton County Reporter and the Current in Noblesville, interviewed him.
Chuck may not be bigger than the whole sky, but for one week, since New Year’s Day, he knows what it is like to have so many fans cheering for him.
I am writing this on Friday before the Colts vs. Texans game on Saturday night. I am sure the Colts organization will say, “Don’t go” to Chuck, but as he says, “40 years is a good number. It’s better to leave five years too early than five minutes too late.”
It should be about midnight when he arrives home. I’ll keep the lights on, greet him at the back door, and tell him, “You belong with me.”
I know we will be watching from the living room of the Little House on the Alley next season, and I will tell him, “You need to calm down,” as he watches the Colts’ home games and the away ones. He never allowed himself to get excited while working the scoreboard.
Having spent 40 years working behind the scenes, Chuck Leonard is now enjoying his well-deserved much more than 15 minutes in the spotlight. (Photo provided)
Don’t blame me, Taylor Swift, if I borrow your words. Chuck Leonard will be, forever and always, the leading scorer for the Indianapolis Colts. I disagree with you. You see, Ms. Swift, it is I who has the better man, and Chuck and I have the best love story.
Thank you, Taylor Swift, for helping me write this week’s column. It’s been fun. Chuck has felt your pain and exhaustion … well, a bit of it. You haven’t even lived for 40 years. In one year less than seven, you will turn 40. Chuck hopes you enjoy your career and all its gigs, as much as he has enjoyed his gig with the Colts. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be doing this for 40 years. His favorite color will never be red, but forever … Colts blue.
Let’s cheer for Chuck Leonard as he puts up the final score for the Colts! Make it a win for Chuck!
* * *
If you are not a Taylor Swift fan, please know that every word in bold print is a Taylor Swift song. I needed to have some fun this week. So many tears have been shed. Go Colts! Chuck Leonard … you are a legend!
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.