08/24/2023
This is Robert Reid, and I feel it is the appropriate time for me to make this post about a special person and friend.
Working closely with Mike Sheffield the last two football seasons and approaching what we thought was going to be a third has been a real joy for me. The entire Sheffield crew, led by Mike, had a few things in common: we loved Friday Night Football, Bulldog Black & Gold Football, the Nederland ISD community, & the city of Nederland. All of this led to one goal that we strongly wanted to achieve after the 2020 COVID pandemic: webcast ALL Nederland football games LIVE & FREE (FREE & LIVE!!) for the awesome fans and alumni of Nederland ISD locally, throughout Texas, across the country and internationally!
As we met at Mike’s North Pole Annex in his Golden Triangle headquarters, Charlie, Mike, and I knew in 2021 that we had a daunting task. Checking the UIL rules, seeking permission and then finding awesome sponsors to finance our dream of Live and Free football for the great fans of Nederland football. Live and Free Friday Night Football was unprecedented. The competition was and remains pay-per-view services.
A lot of hard work, time, and planning helped us get the 2021 season up and running. Streaming issues and other technical matters did happen. They happened for us and our pay-per-view counterparts. Still, Mike persisted. He kept working on his own time and made investments with his own money to provide the best product for Bulldog fans. All in the name of Live and Free football.
In 2022, everything came together. The product for our fans was damn near flawless. We were truly proud of the product that was produced for the fans.
As a reminder, this is what Mike produced on Friday Nights that no other Texas webcast does:
-an entire game LIVE & FREE
-a halftime show in its entirety showcasing the band and drill team
-a pregame show
-promos for the District and high school
-showcasing the City of Nederland
Mike Sheffield did not profit from this weekly production. In fact, he poured his own personal finances into it. It was a true labor of love for him. He loves everything about Nederland and the school district.
Charlie Jehlen, Kerri Hays, Magic Mike Marrs and Sweet Lou Sheffield shared in this dream. Their efforts were incredible and their love for Bulldog football and the Nederland community is even more.
In closing, it’s sad that this labor of love has come to an end. It was easily avoidable. Sheffield Productions only controls their group. Mike Sheffield is one of the most respectable members of the community and is worthy of being treated as such at all times.
All the best to the team, fans, students, employees, and our GREAT sponsors who shared our vision and made it a reality! GO BULLDOGS!!
