With a simple wave, I knew what Escambia Academy defensive coordinator Mike Sims meant.

Earlier this week, the Cougars were playing a junior varsity football game against Snook Academy.

I was talking with Sims about different things, and all of a sudden, his son, Nick, got rolled over by a football player.

Sims stutter stepped waiting on Nick to stand up, but quickly went to his son’s aid when the referees called for a timeout.

Not knowing that it was his son, I decided to take the opportunity to get back to the newspaper.

“I’ll see you later coach!” I yelled.

When Sims put up his right hand as if signaling that he was turning right, I knew then that was his son. It was later confirmed to me by Cougars head football coach Hugh Fountain.

Later that night, I thought about the bond a father and son has. It’s a strong bond.

I could tell Sims was concerned about his son as he was slow to get up from the gridiron. That, to me, is always comforting to see.

It looked to me that Nick got the wind knocked out of him, and I hope he is OK.

But, I found it interesting that I picked up what he also meant when Sims waved goodbye to me the other night.