While some people are readying themselves for that most sacred of days,“Super Bowl Sunday,” I cheer another sport. One that is older than football. I am of course talking about the game Dog and Squirrels. This game is played across the United States, but the first game in this country was held here in Virginia. In 1607, over 400 years ago three ships, Discovery, Godspeed and the flag ship Susan Constant, led by Captain Christopher Newport (who only had one arm) sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The 105 passengers and the 39 seamen who landed in Virginia on Sunday, April 26, 1607 began exploring the Chesapeake Bay and were met with misfortune, one of the passengers died. The settlers withdrew to the ships and then explored Virginia Beach on April 27. Two days later, on a Wednesday, the settlers traveled to a site known as Cape Henry and erected a cross and gave thanks to God. The next day, it was a Thursday, the three ships, with 104 passengers and the 39 crew meandered up the James River and began a settlement in Jamestown on May 13, 1607. It was in the forest of Jamestown, over 400 years ago, near the first English settlement in the new world, a Dog saw a Squirrel, barked and gave chase. Thus the game began. There were no cheerleaders, no instant replays, no fouls and no first downs. Yet the game did begin. This great game continues in our backyard and in our neighbor’s backyard. On this most scared of days. If you go outside, you will hear no cheers of “Who let the Dogs Out.” The Dogs are down 3 to 3,655. The Squirrels Rule!
The facts came from Jamestown's Story Act One of the American Dream by Parke Rouse, Jr. Compiled and Edited by Wilford Kate.