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Post by fantom on Apr 23, 2017 13:09:41 GMT -6
99% of the time when a kid quits football he gives one of three reasons: 1. "My mom wants me to work on my grades" 2. "I'm getting a job" 3. "I'm concentrating on baseball/basketball" Every now and then you hear one that comes out of left field. Have you ever heard one that was really weird? We had a kid who said he was quitting to focus on "semi-pro cage fighting". 1. Rarely have I ever seen a quitters grades improve. Managing high school academics and football does not require much effort. Three years ago the top academic performer in our school was our starting QB. This same kid played basketball, track, badminton and soccer. 2. Most student jobs are more than willing to work around a football schedule. About a third of our players have jobs. 3. We've had basketball bench warmers tell us they weren't playing so they could concentrate on basketball while the basketball league MVP was a receiver on our football team....those bench warmers continued to be bench warmers, our receiver is now playing college basketball. Bottom line, those are just excuses. I would much prefer a kid just be honest with me. If a kid tells me that he genuinely doesn't enjoy football, I leave him be....but when kids use the above excuses I can't help but point out the flaws in their reasoning. Of course they're all excuses. We had a sub-benchwarmer quit a few years ago to "Work on his grades". The very next day he was working out with the track team.
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 13:17:58 GMT -6
kids literally bleeding, and fighting for each other and a TEAM is what separates football for other endeavors...no other school sport,IMO, can replicate it.. This is great. Deserves to be on a t-shirt!
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 13:25:39 GMT -6
About a month ago I heard. "I have shin splints and the doctors do not think I should take part in outdoor activities." We had that once. Kid lost 60lbs from May to July to get down to about 280- freshman btw- never showed up to practices in Aug. Asked him why and he said he'd developed shin splints and his doctor didn't want him to be on his feet so much. 2 years later I bet he's pushing 400. Had a kid skip practice one because he had to go to the mall to help his little brother pick out shoes. Had a kid quit once so he could spend more time focusing on riding 4 wheelers. Had a kid quit once so he could go to JFL practice and "help coach them"- he was a freshman. Translation- my girlfriend is on the 8th grade cheerleaders. Had a kid quit once because he "just wasn't feeling it anymore". All 3 of those kids were in this past seasons Sr class. The 4 wheeler kid was the only one who didn't come back. The not feeling it kid came back as a Jr. Lombardi came back as a Sr. Not feeling it is the only one who is a remotely reliable human being. #farmerballproblems I hear you, Coach. Have heard many of those (or versions that are similar). Anyone who coaches small-school, rural football has my respect.
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Post by coachfloyd on Apr 23, 2017 13:39:00 GMT -6
It's always been about "not getting hurt for basketball/baseball", in my experience. This started popping up more and more after the concussion craze hit. We had a baseball player come out this year at wr. He would have started for us. 6'1 35 inch vert. Quits because he doesn't want to get hurt. Breaks his thumb on his throwing hand last month. Saw him last week. I just said, "didn't you quit football so you wouldn't get hurt for baseball?" I just let it hang there.
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Post by larrymoe on Apr 23, 2017 13:56:26 GMT -6
We had that once. Kid lost 60lbs from May to July to get down to about 280- freshman btw- never showed up to practices in Aug. Asked him why and he said he'd developed shin splints and his doctor didn't want him to be on his feet so much. 2 years later I bet he's pushing 400. Had a kid skip practice one because he had to go to the mall to help his little brother pick out shoes. Had a kid quit once so he could spend more time focusing on riding 4 wheelers. Had a kid quit once so he could go to JFL practice and "help coach them"- he was a freshman. Translation- my girlfriend is on the 8th grade cheerleaders. Had a kid quit once because he "just wasn't feeling it anymore". All 3 of those kids were in this past seasons Sr class. The 4 wheeler kid was the only one who didn't come back. The not feeling it kid came back as a Jr. Lombardi came back as a Sr. Not feeling it is the only one who is a remotely reliable human being. #farmerballproblems I hear you, Coach. Have heard many of those (or versions that are similar). Anyone who coaches small-school, rural football has my respect. I know what you're saying, but I haven't coached a kid whose family was involved in agriculture for at least 5 years. More like #WelfareRecipientsProbs
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Post by coachwoodall on Apr 23, 2017 16:32:08 GMT -6
I taught in a hard scramble school once that "back to school shopping" was a big deal. A REALLY big deal. A country school where the closest shopping center was 45 minutes away. To these kids we had this was like their annual Disney World trip. We had to plan practices around the tax free weekend for back to school shopping.
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Post by newhope on Apr 23, 2017 16:41:51 GMT -6
I had a high school junior one year who wanted to miss a week of practice to attend "an important Pokemon convention in Los Angeles"
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Post by s73 on Apr 23, 2017 16:44:55 GMT -6
Friend of mine had a kid try to quit on him & he told the kid the deadline to quit was last week and the kid stuck out the rest of the season.
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 17:14:27 GMT -6
I had a high school junior one year who wanted to miss a week of practice to attend "an important Pokemon convention in Los Angeles" C'mon Coach...that's the ONLY kind of Pokemon convention! Good grief...
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Post by Defcord on Apr 23, 2017 19:21:40 GMT -6
I taught in a hard scramble school once that "back to school shopping" was a big deal. A REALLY big deal. A country school where the closest shopping center was 45 minutes away. To these kids we had this was like their annual Disney World trip. We had to plan practices around the tax free weekend for back to school shopping. When I was in North Carolina you didn't mess with tax free weekend. Forgot all about it.
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 23, 2017 19:48:34 GMT -6
"Coach, I have plantar fasciitis and need surgery." "Coach, y'all work too hard." "Coach, it's hunting season." REAL REASON - - - IT'S TOO TOUGH! I guess Pat Tilman quitting the NFL to join the Rangers was evidence that he wasn't tough enough? Barry Sanders... what a wimp! Jim Brown... a fraud! Calvin Johnson... big sissy Granted these guys had played a lot more football than the HS you are mocking, and while I will agree that sometimes someone quits football because it is tough, I would be very cautious to group all the reasons given as "real reason--too tough" as you did in an earlier post... Sometimes, people might not enjoy something. That doesn't necessarily make it "too tough" Let me ask you this...why didn't you go into a career as a roofer? Are you not tough enough to carry 60 pound batches of shingles up and down a ladder by yourself every day in 90+degree weather in the summer? Or did something else interest you... Why aren't you coaching football at an inner city school in Detroit with a 20% truancy rate? Is that too tough for you?
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 20:09:10 GMT -6
REAL REASON - - - IT'S TOO TOUGH! I guess Pat Tilman quitting the NFL to join the Rangers was evidence that he wasn't tough enough? Barry Sanders... what a wimp! Jim Brown... a fraud! Calvin Johnson... big sissy Granted these guys had played a lot more football than the HS you are mocking, and while I will agree that sometimes someone quits football because it is tough, I would be very cautious to group all the reasons given as "real reason--too tough" as you did in an earlier post... Sometimes, people might not enjoy something. That doesn't necessarily make it "too tough" Let me ask you this...why didn't you go into a career as a roofer? Are you not tough enough to carry 60 pound batches of shingles up and down a ladder by yourself every day in 90+degree weather in the summer? Or did something else interest you... Why aren't you coaching football at an inner city school in Detroit with a 20% truancy rate? Is that too tough for you? When I coached Inner City Football in Richmond Va it was called "The Murder Capital of the US"!!! Murder rate as high or higher than Detroit! www.commonwealthtimes.org/2016/03/15/richmond-ranks-among-nations-deadliest-cities/
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 20:10:35 GMT -6
REAL REASON - - - IT'S TOO TOUGH! I guess Pat Tilman quitting the NFL to join the Rangers was evidence that he wasn't tough enough? Barry Sanders... what a wimp! Jim Brown... a fraud! Calvin Johnson... big sissy Granted these guys had played a lot more football than the HS you are mocking, and while I will agree that sometimes someone quits football because it is tough, I would be very cautious to group all the reasons given as "real reason--too tough" as you did in an earlier post... Sometimes, people might not enjoy something. That doesn't necessarily make it "too tough" Let me ask you this...why didn't you go into a career as a roofer? Are you not tough enough to carry 60 pound batches of shingles up and down a ladder by yourself every day in 90+degree weather in the summer? Or did something else interest you... Why aren't you coaching football at an inner city school in Detroit with a 20% truancy rate? Is that too tough for you? CoachD...Wtf? C'mon, man....You are one of the best posters on this site. Clearly this discussion references the AVERAGE kid, not the exceptions.
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 23, 2017 20:20:22 GMT -6
I guess Pat Tilman quitting the NFL to join the Rangers was evidence that he wasn't tough enough? Barry Sanders... what a wimp! Jim Brown... a fraud! Calvin Johnson... big sissy Granted these guys had played a lot more football than the HS you are mocking, and while I will agree that sometimes someone quits football because it is tough, I would be very cautious to group all the reasons given as "real reason--too tough" as you did in an earlier post... Sometimes, people might not enjoy something. That doesn't necessarily make it "too tough" Let me ask you this...why didn't you go into a career as a roofer? Are you not tough enough to carry 60 pound batches of shingles up and down a ladder by yourself every day in 90+degree weather in the summer? Or did something else interest you... Why aren't you coaching football at an inner city school in Detroit with a 20% truancy rate? Is that too tough for you? When I coached Inner City Football in Richmond Va it was called "The Murder Capital of the US"!!! Murder rate as high or higher than Detroit! www.commonwealthtimes.org/2016/03/15/richmond-ranks-among-nations-deadliest-cities/Coached...as in past tense...so you quit... why? Not tough enough?
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 23, 2017 20:23:27 GMT -6
I guess Pat Tilman quitting the NFL to join the Rangers was evidence that he wasn't tough enough? Barry Sanders... what a wimp! Jim Brown... a fraud! Calvin Johnson... big sissy Granted these guys had played a lot more football than the HS you are mocking, and while I will agree that sometimes someone quits football because it is tough, I would be very cautious to group all the reasons given as "real reason--too tough" as you did in an earlier post... Sometimes, people might not enjoy something. That doesn't necessarily make it "too tough" Let me ask you this...why didn't you go into a career as a roofer? Are you not tough enough to carry 60 pound batches of shingles up and down a ladder by yourself every day in 90+degree weather in the summer? Or did something else interest you... Why aren't you coaching football at an inner city school in Detroit with a 20% truancy rate? Is that too tough for you? CoachD...Wtf? C'mon, man....You are one of the best posters on this site. Clearly this discussion references the AVERAGE kid, not the exceptions. I happen to disagree with the self important manner in which many coaches view football. Although it is a sport with a physical nature, the fact that some don't enjoy the sport, or even the physical nature of the sport, does not mean that it is "too tough" Just my opinion.
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 20:33:35 GMT -6
CoachD...Wtf? C'mon, man....You are one of the best posters on this site. Clearly this discussion references the AVERAGE kid, not the exceptions. I happen to disagree with the self important manner in which many coaches view football. Although it is a sport with a physical nature, the fact that some don't enjoy the sport, or even the physical nature of the sport, does not mean that it is "too tough" Just my opinion. Ok. I hear you. I understand that you are a literal guy and words have meaning. For me, being "tough enough" means that a kid isn't a pu$$y. I have never had a kid quit for a "higher purpose". Every kid who ever quit on me did so because he wasn't willing to compete. Yes. I understand that kids quit because of legit and commendable reasons. I'm just saying that I have never run up against that.
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 20:34:18 GMT -6
Coached...as in past tense...so you quit... why? Not tough enough? "Past tense" because I had a stroke & had to retire at age 76 (but I STILL go on the field to help 2 local coaches that played for me)! Only WIMPS question other people' toughness hiding behind a keyboard! Coached in those (inner city) environs over 50 years!!! What's YOUR problem?
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Post by silkyice on Apr 23, 2017 20:35:54 GMT -6
CoachD...Wtf? C'mon, man....You are one of the best posters on this site. Clearly this discussion references the AVERAGE kid, not the exceptions. I happen to disagree with the self important manner in which many coaches view football. Although it is a sport with a physical nature, the fact that some don't enjoy the sport, or even the physical nature of the sport, does not mean that it is "too tough" Just my opinion. I do agree that we as football coaches make football too important. Although that is somewhat our job. But I will also agree that most kids quit football becaue it is too tough or too physical. Not all, but most. But here is the key point. We are discussing quitters. Not those that choose to not to come out.
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Post by Party@QB on Apr 23, 2017 20:48:45 GMT -6
I forgot this one.
"Coach I have to quit due to a heart condition."
"Man, that's rough. What's going on?" "Well, every time I run my heart starts beating faster."
He was dead serious, had his mom take him to a heart specialist for tests.
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 20:52:33 GMT -6
I happen to disagree with the self important manner in which many coaches view football. Although it is a sport with a physical nature, the fact that some don't enjoy the sport, or even the physical nature of the sport, does not mean that it is "too tough" Just my opinion. I do agree that we as football coaches make football too important. Although that is somewhat our job. But I will also agree that most kids quit football becaue it is too tough or too physical. Not all, but most. But here is the key point. We are discussing quitters. Not those that choose to not to come out. "Silky": Football is very important to us for two very good reasons: #1 You owe your players your best effort! #2 If coaching is your VOCATION (& not merely an "avocation") you want to keep the bread on the table, and probably have a mortgage, and a family to support (it cost a fORTUNE to send my 3 children to college)! Note: It is also important enough to the people I work for that they will fire coaches that don't produce. That never happened to me in 50 years (on the High School and College level).
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 23, 2017 20:52:35 GMT -6
Coached...as in past tense...so you quit... why? Not tough enough? "Past tense" because I had a stroke & had to retire at age 76 (but I STILL go on the field to help 2 local coaches that played for me)! Only WIMPS question other people' toughness hiding behind a keyboard! Coached in those (inner city) environs over 50 years!!! What's YOUR problem? As I mentioned above, my problem is with coaches who determine that those who decide they are not going to play football, are "not tough enough" My point in mentioning those schools was not to bring up a physically dangerous element, but rather because in places I described it is generally difficult (tough) to win and often coaches leave because of that or other reasons. Not because of physical "toughness". I could (and probably should) have also included something about coaching in a wealthy, spoiled helicopter parent environment as well. My intent was to point out that NOT doing something or quitting doing something shouldn't necessarily be labeled "too tough"
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 21:00:41 GMT -6
"Past tense" because I had a stroke & had to retire at age 76 (but I STILL go on the field to help 2 local coaches that played for me)! Only WIMPS question other people' toughness hiding behind a keyboard! Coached in those (inner city) environs over 50 years!!! What's YOUR problem? As I mentioned above, my problem is with coaches who determine that those who decide they are not going to play football, are "not tough enough" My point in mentioning those schools was not to bring up a physically dangerous element, but rather because in places I described, it is generally difficult (tough) to win and often coaches leave because of that or other reasons. Not because of physical "toughness". To point out that NOT doing something or quitting doing something shouldn't necessarily be labeled "too tough" Well after 50 years experience on the High School & College level, I agree with Silkyice that MOST (not all) kids DO quit because it is "too tough". The ACC & SEC are KNOWN for "physical football" I coach in ACC & SEC territory & you must "out-physical" an opponent to win. This quote says it all: “Football, in its purest form, remains a physical fight. As in any fight, if you don't want to fight, it's impossible to win.” Not ALL kids are "willing" to do that & thus they quit!
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Post by 53 on Apr 23, 2017 21:04:41 GMT -6
My middle school coach was a World War II vet that was involved in every major battle in the pacific theater. My 8th grade year was 2000-2001, but He started coaching in the 1950's and was a hall of fame coach winning over 300 high school games and middle school ball was just his retirement.
His style of coaching was legendary for being hard as hell. We'd start with 60 kids coming out and end with about 20. We had a bunch that would quit during our calisthenics period before any hitting.
He wasn't for everyone. However if you could make it, you forever loved him and would do anything for him.
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Post by gian3074 on Apr 23, 2017 21:26:31 GMT -6
The "I have to work" angle is an interesting one in my mind. My senior year my brother and I got jobs during the summer and for football could only work one day, and my boss was a jerk about it but begrudgingly allowed it. I've heard kids say that they have to either work or play a sport and I've heard kids say that their boss won't budge and accommodate a 16-17 year old's schedule, but that's also what the kid is telling us. I know that some kids have to work, but I also know that some kids also just want extra money so in my opinion it's a hard one to have a definitive opinion on unless I know for sure all of the variables.
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Post by s73 on Apr 24, 2017 6:32:53 GMT -6
The "I have to work" angle is an interesting one in my mind. My senior year my brother and I got jobs during the summer and for football could only work one day, and my boss was a jerk about it but begrudgingly allowed it. I've heard kids say that they have to either work or play a sport and I've heard kids say that their boss won't budge and accommodate a 16-17 year old's schedule, but that's also what the kid is telling us. I know that some kids have to work, but I also know that some kids also just want extra money so in my opinion it's a hard one to have a definitive opinion on unless I know for sure all of the variables. I understand this as I was one of those kids. Grew up in a single parent family and needed to earn my own spending money. HOWEVER, if a kid really WANTS to play FB he will make it work. I got a job where the hours were primarily evening hours so I would work after practice. Wasn't easy to go to work after practice until 10-11pm but I did it b/c no way I was giving up FB. So to me...if the kid really wants to make it work he will. I have a few kids who periodically have to leave practice a tad early and I can live with that. But for the most part, IME, kids who quit to work usually would PREFER working over playing FB. Which is certainly their choice. But you can make it work if you really want to. JMO.
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Post by coachfloyd on Apr 24, 2017 7:22:26 GMT -6
We as coaches sometimes forget what an influence we can have on kids. A few guys have already mentioned not letting guys quit. I had a kid come up to me last year with all of his stuff. I said what are you doing? He said quitting. I said back to him, "Turn your tail around and go put your stuff back in your locker." He did and stayed. I had another one almost ten years ago who wanted to quit. He said, "Coach I just dont think football is for guys like me." I said, "NO football is for guys exactly like you." But the funny thing was I didnt mean it and actually thought this guy should quit. Two years later he is starting on both sides of the ball for us. He wasn't great but in the first game he graded out higher than all other offensive lineman. In one game he had to block a guy who ended up playing at Alabama and got drafted in like the 2nd round. He blocked him well enough that we lost the game on a fumble on the last drive. Fast forward 2 more years and this kid goes to the Citadel and goes out for track. He threw for me too and was never good enough to go to a meet. We always had 3-4 kids better than him. He works for 4 years at the Citadel and ends up breaking their hammer throw record and scores points for them at the conference meet. This kid is literally 5'5 190 and fat. He had no business succeeding in anything sports related. What would have happened if I hadn't of tried to talk him out of quitting? We have a huge role to play in these kids lives and I am more reminding myself than anyone.
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Post by msirishman on Apr 24, 2017 7:36:40 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. I'll bite on this one. Just to clarify before I start...I am all for kids participating in ANY after school activity.. That being said, a good friend of mine has a son in 6th grade..he has been a baseball player since he was practically born...this year he decided he wanted to play football..I/we got him on a team that we knew had a good coach. so I go to watch him play a few games and the mom offhandedly said "Tony has never been so close to his baseball teammates as he is to his football teammates, perhaps we need to have more team dinners or something...I said Tony has been sweating and bleeding with these guys for 7 weeks now, a team dinner won't be able to replicate that kids literally bleeding, and fighting for each other and a TEAM is what separates football for other endeavors...no other school sport,IMO, can replicate it.. Love it. Gave me chills Jerry!
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Post by coachcb on Apr 24, 2017 7:52:21 GMT -6
It's always been about "not getting hurt for basketball/baseball", in my experience. This started popping up more and more after the concussion craze hit. We had a baseball player come out this year at wr. He would have started for us. 6'1 35 inch vert. Quits because he doesn't want to get hurt. Breaks his thumb on his throwing hand last month. Saw him last week. I just said, "didn't you quit football so you wouldn't get hurt for baseball?" I just let it hang there. I had the same thing happen to a basketball player a few years ago. He quit football because of "concussions" and he slammed his head against the hardwood floor of a basketball court two weeks into that season. Knocked himself out and he missed the rest of the season.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 7:53:43 GMT -6
I understand this as I was one of those kids. Grew up in a single parent family and needed to earn my own spending money. HOWEVER, if a kid really WANTS to play FB he will make it work. I got a job where the hours were primarily evening hours so I would work after practice. Wasn't easy to go to work after practice until 10-11pm but I did it b/c no way I was giving up FB. So to me...if the kid really wants to make it work he will. I have a few kids who periodically have to leave practice a tad early and I can live with that. But for the most part, IME, kids who quit to work usually would PREFER working over playing FB. Which is certainly their choice. But you can make it work if you really want to. JMO. One of the most mentally tough young men I have coaches used to follow a schedule very close to the following: 5am - wakeup 5:30am - be at hardee's to make the morning biscuits 7:30am - be at school to finish/do homework from the night before 8:00am to 2:30pm - school 2:30pm to 3:00pm - football study hall 3:15pm to 5:30pm - practice 6:00pm to 11:00pm - back to work until close at hardee's after that I assume some homework and sleep, wake up the next day and repeat. This kid's family didn't have much, if anything. He was working to buy his football gear, his younger brother's (6th grader) football gear. I will also assume he was paying some of the bills at home. He would rarely have to leave a practice early to go to work, but if that happened, he would miss no more than 30 minutes of practice time. Last I heard from him he was going to a film school in texas.
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Post by mariner42 on Apr 24, 2017 8:00:28 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. I'll bite on this one. Just to clarify before I start...I am all for kids participating in ANY after school activity.. That being said, a good friend of mine has a son in 6th grade..he has been a baseball player since he was practically born...this year he decided he wanted to play football..I/we got him on a team that we knew had a good coach. so I go to watch him play a few games and the mom offhandedly said "Tony has never been so close to his baseball teammates as he is to his football teammates, perhaps we need to have more team dinners or something...I said Tony has been sweating and bleeding with these guys for 7 weeks now, a team dinner won't be able to replicate that kids literally bleeding, and fighting for each other and a TEAM is what separates football for other endeavors...no other school sport,IMO, can replicate it.. We recruited the best soccer player in our school to come be our kicker this year. He only played something like 10-12 weeks of football and at the end of the season he was one of the most distraught kids we had. All of the soccer teams he had played on, all of the money his folks had spent on club soccer, the best team atmosphere he ever experienced was 3 months of high school football as the kicker.
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