Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview Spring 2019 | Page 23

The Ram’s Eye View
One of the biggest traditions in Fordham Prep’s athletic history is
the annual Turkey Bowl game that takes place on Thanksgiving
Day. It has a long and prestigious history and this past year we
celebrated its 96th anniversary. Though I wasn’t wearing the
maroon uniform this year, I was lucky enough to be part of it in a
different way. I was the Ram.
I recall many different people and things about the day. There
were throngs of people coming up to me taking pictures with me
and lots of high fives with children. Another thing I recall (from
the sore hand afterwards) were people shaking my shoulders
and yelling ‘Go Rams!’. The atmosphere was electric. I remember
the Xavier Knight hitting me with his sword (cushioned of course)
and I rammed him back with my horns. Throughout the day
there was plenty of playful banter to go around. It was a good
day to be a ram, better yet THE ram.
At halftime, I was the star as everyone wanted to take pictures
with me. Later, I was swarmed by a group of little kids who
peppered me with hugs. I survived, but was genuinely afraid for
a few seconds. I thought I was going to fall over. It was a
balancing act with a mascot costume that had a very large and
very heavy head. Another highlight was the photo above with
Xavier’s headmaster, Mr. LiVigni, and the Prep’s principal,
Dr. Petriello.
The third quarter started and my eyes went back to the game.
On the sidelines, someone asked me to have a catch. I tried, but
it was a fail. I can tell you this much: it is not easy to catch a
football in a Ram suit. I went back to trying to get the crowd
involved by raising my arms and marching up and down the
sideline. They say the 12th man in football is the crowd. In no
time at all, we were the 12th ram. We had the energy going as
we tried to propel our boys to victory.
Despite the bulky uniform, the barrage of hugs and the hot
temperature inside the suit, it was all worth it. We came out
victorious, and the crowd was engaged because of my efforts.
Until next year. Go Rams!
Michael McLoughlin ’20
Vol. 3 2018-19 | 23