No matter what way you stretch it, football is back. It may look a bit different, but it’s back. I write this blog in an effort to prove what anyone can do, as I often find that people say they hate writing. I’ve always loved to write, don’t know why. I also have always loved football, but that changed when I was forced to quit due to multiple concussions. I was certain of who I wanted to be, and when I couldn’t be it anymore, I was uncertain of who I was.
I look forward into this uncertain time, and I find that certainty is one thing that we may have all taken for granted. Though it’s taken a while to accept my career ending too early, I have slowly become certain of who I am inside because of football, and I have football solely to thank for it.
Sure, I’m glad football is back, but I’m also glad to see the certainty of it, and what that certainty represents to millions and millions of kids and uncertain adults.
To be certain, is to be understood. It’s counter part, to be uncertain can’t be respected to the level of one with certainty. We look up to people with certainty. Someone who is certain of their line to success is admirable, even if they have qualities that may not be. Someone who is uncertain is uncomfortable to study under.
Though the future is uncertain, football is certain to represent a few things.
Honor
Why do people look up to football players or coaches so much? Why is it so admirable? Why is it so American? As someone who has felt the honor, thought they lost it, and see that it never dies, I’m certain that there is honor in football. The honor of working hard individually, and as a member of a unit. The honor in making your family and friends proud. The honor in proving your opponent inferior, then helping them up. The honor in getting up. The honor in gettng up again.
Don’t Stop Getting Up. Never stay down. Don’t ever stay down.
Class
Play til the whistle. When the lights go on, be ready. Be prepared off the field for when you are on it. Fall in love with the lights. Fall in love with being the focal point of a positive force. Be a leader. Be a great person. Treat every player and coach as a member of your family. If you don’t love your family, We’re your family now. Those are things that are certain you will find in football.
Win with class. Lose with class. Train with class.
Kinship
Bleed blood sweat and tears in the mud, the blood, and the guts of life. Even if you’ve never played a sport, you can understand the kinship and camaraderie that is certain in football. Some of the closest teams I’ve ever been a part of were teams that barely won. But if you can get to the pinnacle of success and win together as a team, you’re certainly a different person afterwards. Seeing football come back is a great sign for minds coming back to kinship.
Work for your brother, if you can’t for you today.
THE Example
Pundits can argue the value of football players in society, but seeing football as a systemic organized game that holds so many certain values gives me a good feeling. If the stupid, simple jock game of FOOTBALL can represent the example of who we need to be from here on out, with respect to the virus and social issues, the world will follow. The values represented by the American game of football should be what this country represents. We might be a little better off right now.
If America treated our government like we were all on the same football team, ethically, morally, and with certain paths to success, we can all be certain we will be better for it.
Be the example for the boys who will wear the colors in ten years.
Leaders Will Rise
One thing that is certain in football and in life, leaders will rise. Those who battle harder than anyone else get ahead, but so do those with political ties. In order to really lead, one must look within and be certain of who they want to be. Are they waiting for a blessing for their fruits? OR are they planting seeds of blessings everywhere they go? No matter what happens, in the shadows of doubt, those in fear seek someone to look up to. In the darkest moments of a football game, in the most difficult moments of a football practice, in seeing someone down, LEADERS RISE.
Will you?
