The Ball - James Otto

If I hadn’t dropped the ball, I would’ve took it all the way

Homecoming '89 with ten seconds left to play

We were drivin' toward the goal line, they were screamin' in the stands

I had the chance to be a hero, but it slipped right through my hands

There would’ve been a big pep rally, the would’ve hung my jersey on the wall

If I hadn’t dropped the ball

Me and Cindy Miller were supposed to meet after the game

I waited by the bleachers, but she never came

I found a note on my windshield underneath the wiper blade

With goodbye bleedin' through it in the cold October rain

We probably would’ve gotten married

And those recruiters in from 'Bama would’ve called

If I hadn’t dropped the ball

My life would’ve been so different if in that instant

Things had gone the way I planned

But the fact is that they didn’t, and the hand I wound up getting

Is something that i’ll never understand

I ran away that summer, took a job out on the coast

And that’s where I met your mama, and the rest I guess you know

If I had the chance to go back and score that last touchdown

Well, son, I wouldn’t do it, 'cause you wouldn’t be here now

And I wouldn’t be your hero, I wouldn’t be around to catch you when you fall

If I hadn’t dropped the ball

My life would’ve been so different if in that instant

Things had gone the way I planned

But the fact is that they didn’t and the hand I wound up getting

Is the one that god intended me to have

No, I wouldn’t be the man I am at all

If I hadn’t dropped the ball