|
Post by touchdownmaker on Feb 6, 2009 9:16:16 GMT -6
I learned a valuable lesson as a teenager.
I had two tickets to see Delaware vs Connecticut or something like that and I was determined to go to this football game.
How stupid was I, my parents wanted me to go visit my grandparents , my grandpa was ill at the time.
I went to the stupid game and my grandpa died. I was not there to be supportive to my parents, my grandma or my grandpa or my brothers. I never stop thinking about how stupid that decision was.
It is sooooo important that we all keep in mind that family is much more important than football. btw, one of my cancers this year wanted to go "a friends sisters wedding" last year AND MISSED A GAME (roll eyes) THATS NOT FAMILY. Same kid tells me "I dont do August" or something to that effect.
|
|
|
Post by coachjd on Feb 6, 2009 9:23:37 GMT -6
Back in my college days, our season opener was 14 hours away and my the game was on my wife's do date. I went to the game with her blessing. She did not go into labor and we had her induced on Monday. Our daughter was born at 2:00 pm and she kicked me out at 3:00 and told me to practice, but come back as soon as I could.
I was blessed with a great wife. I can tell you that I was on pins and needles the entire trip thinking about the what if's if I missed the birth of our first child. I would of never heard the end of it.
|
|
|
Post by lukethadrifter on Feb 6, 2009 9:46:52 GMT -6
This should not even be a question. Long after your coaching career is over, you will come to realize that the things in life that are most important are God and family.
|
|
|
Post by wpialoline on Feb 6, 2009 10:08:02 GMT -6
If I missed a game for a birth I think my wife would kill me. Our 1st child was born and rushed to NICU and she pushed me to leave and go to the COY clinic.
Either my wife really loves football or she really hates me being around.
|
|
|
Post by gldnglv165 on Feb 6, 2009 10:44:48 GMT -6
We had an assistant whose wife gave birth on game day and she booted him out of the hospital after their kid was born so he could come to the game. My second son was born during the season, but on a Sunday so not only did I get to coach on Friday, but I didn't miss my beloved college games on the Saturday either. After two (yes two) vasectomies, my third son was born during the week of our Senior Bowl, so I missed most of the practices but still made it to the game. All that being said, as much as I love our game, I would not even think of missing the birth of my child for a game. Oh, and yes, the third kid looks like me. Oh, hell....somebody's got to say it. Come on, vas! BLOCK SOMEBODY!! ;D Ha ha. I'm still laughing at that one! I made the mistake of letting my wife pick our wedding date for the middle of October. Now I have to plan anniversaries around football. I wouldn't miss the birth of my kid for football, but I've gotten in trouble for a lousy anniversary because I get wrapped up in football...
|
|
|
Post by jpdaley25 on Feb 6, 2009 11:37:22 GMT -6
I worked for a head coach who told this story about a guy he used to work with, both of them long time Ga. high school football coaches. They were on the field during two-a-days when a kid came running up to tell him that his wife was in labor. He went to his office, made a call, and had flowers sent to her room with "congratulations" and his name on the card, and then he went back to practice. My head coach said, "Damn, aren't you going to go see her?" He looked at him like he was crazy and said, "Hell, it's two-a-days!" So, this guy didn't even miss it for a game...he missed it for practice!
For my part, I wouldn't miss that for anything. Just let me stand at the top and hold her hand, not at the bottom with a video camera.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Feb 6, 2009 11:43:01 GMT -6
Ok, what if your senior QB had to miss a game because his girlfriend was having a baby? haha
|
|
|
Post by touchdownmaker on Feb 6, 2009 11:44:02 GMT -6
he wouldnt be my qb.
|
|
|
Post by slvcoach on Feb 6, 2009 14:44:34 GMT -6
My ex-wife was pregnant for our first child when I got an invitation to both the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys training camp in July, 1979. However, I always said that I would be there for the birth of any child we might have been blessed with. So knowing that I could not leave camp(s) during those days without being cut I choose to be by my ex-wife's side for the delivery/birth of my first child. I just know that at least I had an opportunity that not many had been offered and that God would take care of my future.
Three weeks later that school where I was coaching gave me the opportunity to be their head coach which I accepted. I was able to continue to play semi-pro ball for several years, although it wasn't the "big-time", but I played for the love of the game, never was money an issue.
Two years later I was still coaching at the high school, playing semi-pro ball and the birth of my second child occurred the day before semi-final play-off game of our semi-pro league. I was the leading rusher of the league and looking forward to playing when the doctor told me that there was something wrong that took place just before the delivery and that my ex-wife and child were in possible grave trouble. Needless to say I missed the games (high school and the semi-pro contests) to be with my family. Mother and second child ended up recovering well. The semi-pro team administration were very upset with my decision (the team lost) and actually refused to invite me to the team's end-of-season dinner. It was my fellow teammates that asked me and insisted for me to attend. That was a BROTHERHOOD.
Gale Sayers wore a medallion that said "I AM THIRD!" That is how I felt and continue to feel in my coaching philosophy. I AM THIRD - God, first; Family, second; and then Me.
Best to you on your decision, but to me it was a no-brainer, and I do not regret those decisions to this day. The birth of a child is a chance to see a miracle of life begin.
|
|
|
Post by coachcathey on Feb 7, 2009 13:55:59 GMT -6
I was once told: "If momma ain't happy, nobodys happy!"
I stayed in the hospital with my wife for a week when our daughter was born. (I wasn't coaching at the time but did have classes. (Daughter weighed 3 lbs 11 oz and was 5 weeks early, she turned one two weeks ago, you never would know she was that little.)
|
|
|
Post by aztec on Feb 7, 2009 20:28:23 GMT -6
The FFA thread got me to thinking.. which is dangerous.. but what the hey.. The wife and I have been trying to have a baby for about a year or so.. and we were talking the other day about if she got pregnant now.. then the baby would be due in the middle of football season. I told her, man.. I guess we would have to induce labor during the week.. I would hate for it to happen on a Friday and have to miss the birth of my first child. Well.. she didnt miss a beat.. and said.. "I am sure they could manage one game without you, because you WILL be there." I think she was serious.. So what would/have you done in this situation? I could understand if you were the assistant.. but could you as the header really miss the game for this? My wife was pregnant with my son 4 1/2 years ago during the season. I drove to each game in case she called and I had my cell phone on my person(which I never do). Ended up she was having contractions on Game night which was a Thursday so she and I went to the game together and she started on the sideline and then moved to the stands with some friends. When she said it was go time we were gone. As it has it we won the game my wife and I went home and about 4 in the morning she said lets go. I ended up having to miss my best friends wedding which I was suppose to be the best man which was the weekend before. Your children will only be born once and the team will move on without you (even if you don't believe it). There are many games but only one birth. It is the greatest experience a man can have IMO. Don't miss it no matter what. People will think less of you if you miss the birth.
|
|
tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 164
|
Post by tedseay on Feb 8, 2009 11:56:03 GMT -6
So what would/have you done in this situation? I could understand if you were the assistant.. but could you as the header really miss the game for this? Let's put it this way -- how many games have you not missed? Now -- how many babies has she had? So -- which event will she think is relatively more important? Tell her right now you will be there, and then be there -- game or no.
|
|
|
Post by coachjaz on Feb 8, 2009 12:37:06 GMT -6
Leave at half time, end of the third whatever you have to do but you MUST be there when the child is born.
|
|
|
Post by schultbear74 on Feb 8, 2009 12:54:09 GMT -6
I missed one game. I watched my son graduate form the Marine Corps boot camp. I would've missed a game for each of my three children's birth, but they were all born post season, off season or preseason. I rank the birth of my children as the three most fabulous experience of my life- bar none.
|
|
|
Post by airman on Feb 8, 2009 14:37:21 GMT -6
Ok, what if your senior QB had to miss a game because his girlfriend was having a baby? haha he would not be on the team. once you become a dad things like playing sports are not important anymore. you have now become an adult and your job is to take care of that baby. you and the girl my never be together but you are a father and you need to be one.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Feb 8, 2009 16:10:15 GMT -6
Ok, what if your senior QB had to miss a game because his girlfriend was having a baby? haha he would not be on the team. once you become a dad things like playing sports are not important anymore. you have now become an adult and your job is to take care of that baby. you and the girl my never be together but you are a father and you need to be one. wow.. I had 5 kids this year who were either already daddys.. or in the process of becoming.. I guess that goes to say why our world is in the shape it is today.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 17:14:14 GMT -6
Family 1st always. There's NO way on earth, that any game including winning the superbowl could replace the birth of my kids.. both of them were born during football season, it's something that can never be replaced
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 17:19:53 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by lilbuck1103 on Feb 9, 2009 6:19:14 GMT -6
If one of my players was having a kid, I do not feel like that ends my responsibility. If he and his family (his parents, girlfriend, etc) wish him to continue to play and take care of his responsibilities, it is my job to continue to work with him and help better prepare him for his future. We talk about family or brotherhood, when one of your family members or brothers is in an imperfect situation, how can you turn your back?
Example, a kid in our league had a kid a while back. In terms of a person standpoint, he stood up, met the challenges, supported his family, got good grades and was able to play football. He was able to be a great influence on the rest of his team about responsibility, being accountable for his actions. In fact, his whole family wanted him to experience those two hours a day where he could do something he loved with individuals who he loved. He did not make the most responsible choice getting into the situation, but every decision afterwards was a positive choice.
I would have a hard time just saying you are no longer a part of this, leave your equipment and get out. Seems like it goes against what our charge is and that is to serve others. My two cents...
|
|