Growing up, two things were constants: Jesus and football.
My dad was a coach, and then I married one of his players. After 31 years of marriage and several different schools, we have settled into our empty nest in middle Tennessee and are taking on a new challenge.
While I'm no longer cheering on our own children during this season, I am still the biggest supporter in the stands.
Yes, I still sit up in those bleachers. My place is on the 50. Period.
So, as the "First Ladies of football," you know we have spent many games sitting in the stands pretending we don't hear the, "Come on coach, throw the ball!" from the parents who really mean, "Why aren't you throwing the ball to my son?"
If I could whisper words into a few bald heads and furry ears, here's what I'd say for us… "Selfishness can steal joy, unity, and success."
If you are the parents of a player and you can't support your child's coach, you should expect a difficult, joyless, frustrating season.
30-plus years. Your comments aren't new or clever. You aren't impressive with your wealth of knowledge.
You are, however, showcasing the character that is probably going to be revealed by your player when adversity hits.
I'm done ignoring the comments.
I'm done keeping what I hear to myself. I'm taking notes. I'm looking at the roster for the number on your shirt. I'm eyeballing you. And I'm not pretending to be friendly when you hug my husband after the game.
Years of experience and years of football knowledge walk that sideline by men who spend more time with your son than you do. Coaches are more invested than anyone in the game, and they are rarely the problem.
They can't tell you that. They won't throw a 17-year-old under the bus for not doing what they were coached to do. But I'll give you my number.
I probably won't ever get to address all of the naysayers (and there have been a few), but my place will always be on that 50. So surround yourself with your people and stake your claim, too, because those folks will fade away in time, but that spot will always be yours!
Go. Fight. Win.