My son plays football. It is not the best team in the world. They are 1-5. This is Freshman Football and you are getting beyond the Little League point of everyone gets a trophy. In fact in Football there really only are winners and losers. I don't even want to touch on what the great Vincent Lombardi had to say. I honestly agree with him.
But I love my son - So what do I say?
- Your school is not a Football School. It is a wrestling school, this is where they excel and you will wrestle latter. This does not mean we do not want to win at football, but what happens is many of the best players and players from out of the area find a way to transfer to the Football School that dominates the district and the league. They have an advantage before training even starts.
- When you played that Football School they had 60 kids on the Freshman Roster. Your team had about 25. How much playing time do you think you would have had if you went to the Football School? Do you think the coaches would even know who you are? You have never played before this year - you would be on the bench.
- Your Coaches Know who you are! The head of the entire football program knew your exact grade point average when I spoke to him the other night. He just knew it off the top of his head. He thinks that kids that show determination like you in football will show it on the field too. Your Freshman Coach and Line Coach like you and are excited about your future. They are set to help you and do all that they can to help you succeed.
- When you got slammed by the Big Football School last week it hurt, but you know what? They slammed 5 other teams before they slammed you. In fact you held them to the fewest points all season. They have only allowed 1 touchdown in 6 games. They played sloppy with way too many penalties; your team only had two. The sloppy play will get them in the end.
- Never aim to be better than the other team; aim to just be better each week; individually and as a team. If you get better each week eventually you will be the best. Often times we just focus on being better than our opponent; this can lead to apathy and a lowering of standards. If we do not percieve our opponent as tough we can even let down rather than improve. I think if you team had played some other teams as tough as you played Big Football School you would be 3-3 right now.
- I like the kids on your team. They are a good bunch. Being in football has improved your grades, not taken away from your school. There is nothing like the comraderie of a team.
- Life is tough and does not always go as you want. If you cannot handle set backs on a football field you will not handle them well in life. The task now is to work harder and stay positive. The goal is not this season, it is your entire high school football career, get ready for varsity. Get Ready for College and use these lessons to get ready for life. Never Quit, Never Give Up, Never Stop Trying. Always aim for the top!
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