Luke has asked to play football since the 5th grade. He had played soccer and wasn't a very aggressive player. In fact he would steer clear of the ball most of the time. He has not been roughed up, at home we don't let the boys push, shove, hit, or rough house. Mark didn't like the idea of Luke playing football, having played himself. He was concerned of all the injuries, concussions, and broken bones. Each year Mark would give him enough reasons not to play. For whatever reason, this year when Luke asked about playing football, Mark said sure. In my mind, I am thinking, why on earth didn't we have him start younger, like maybe 6th grade, instead of one year before high school. Most all of these kids have been playing since pee wee and have been tossing a ball around since they were tiny. Luke has only handled a football a few times over the past few years. I decided I would sign him up for football camp a few weeks before the season. That would give him a feel for it and he could decide if he wanted to go out for the season after camp. I will be honest, I had my doubts, doubts that he would think the conditioning was too hard, he wouldn't like getting tackled and roughed up, the kids might be mean, the coach might let him play in a game. We let Luke decide and gave him our full support. After camp, he decided he liked it and was ready to be on the team.
Football is a team sport. I think people in general crave being part of something, a group, a team, having the comradery. It gives a person a feeling of belonging and feeling of importance. Football has been good for Luke. He has met new people, made friends, and enjoys being part of a team. This week was game 2 for Luke. He played the most his first game as a Safety. This week he was invited to go fishing at one of the boys homes and stayed for supper until after dark. After his second game, I took Luke to eat at A&W on the way home. While eating, two of his teammates spotted Luke and came to our table to say hi to Luke tell him god job and chat awhile. He did not know either boy before football. Luke wore his football pants when we went to eat, twice he had random strangers ask him about his game and tell him good job. There is a certain level of respect given to a football athlete, I saw it today many times. Luke beams and his confidence soars. Sometimes as parents we have to let go of our doubts and fears and let our kids choose. It has been interesting watching the boys play. There is such a big size variation in boys all of the same age. I captured a photo of the tallest 8th grader next to the shortest. The boys sing the school fight song at the end of the games when they win. Dudley is the tall boy who plays offense and defense. He is amazing and leads the team. His sportsmanship is awesome. I have seen him put out his hand to help another opposing player up. I have seen him tackle and turn around and help the kid up. I have watched at the end of the game after high fives are given in a long line, go back and talk to the kids on the opposing team singling out kids telling them they did a good job. Now that is what good sportsmanship is all about and I am impressed. The young man could be arrogant because he is so good, but he is not, Luke said he is nice. I am enjoying my role as football mom. I haven't been a sports mom since Jayden was in volleyball as a 7th grader 8 years ago! Not counting soccer, that is more of a recreational fun game. This week I bought an Ogden T- shirt and wore my button of Luke. I drove an hour to my first away game by myself and sat on the bleachers cheering for the Bulldogs. The other moms on the bleachers have been doing this for years and it has become routine for them. For me, it is new and I am enjoying it. The weather has been amazing. Sitting on those bleachers outside on a near perfect day watching football, a game I do happen to enjoy is kind of nice.
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