Get used to it: It's football! is a phrase I have heard reiterated countless times the past two days. Who is uttering these words? Zealous dads and coaches excited about the adrenaline-pumping, testosterone-filled start to the football season.
In 4th grade boys start to play tackle football in our town, and Andrew-- with trepidation-- signed up. Yesterday, we showed to get him fitted for his uniform. First, the guy fitting him for the pads made numerous jokes about Andrew waiting to hit people until practice. (If you have ever seen Andrew, you know that he is not the intimidating type. The only thing that should be scared of him hitting it would be a golf ball.) After the pad guy, we met helmet guy. Helmet guy was explaining to us how tight the helmet needs to be for his protection (that is a good thing), but Andrew was a bit tentative about the tight fit. The guy said he may have headaches after practice for a few weeks, but "Get used to it: it's football."
Tonight was the first big practice for football. Andrew was hesitant, but the moment he got there, he greeted all his friends and was off and running. Not wanting to truly watch football practice, I left, but I did come back 30 minutes early to watch the end. By this time, Andrew was holding his head through his helmet; a friend of mine who stayed said she thought his head hurt. (I felt sad for him for a moment. . . ) But, he is out there tackling. I can almost hear the testosterone of the parents electrifying the air as the dads scream "Faster! You need to pick up the pace! Hit him harder!" My reaction? Seriously? This is 4th grade. ..
Then, the coach states: "Line up! This is what you have been waiting all summer for!" My thoughts? Ooh cool- They will get to scrimmage. Real event? Running.
The boys start running laps and running ladders (suicides) and running laps. Meanwhile the same testosterone dads are yelling:
This is football. No sitting.
Go faster. This is football.
Football is running. Get used to it.
When practice ended, Andrew shed his sweaty helmet and looked as if he would cry. He was tired. Dog tired. I hugged him and told him how proud I was of him. He now knows what to expect for the next few months. This is football: get used to it.
He also knows I will be proud and support him no matter what. I am his mom: get used to it.
3 comments:
Football... not a sport for the easily intimidated. Though I love watching it on TV, I'm not so sure I would be excited to watch Andrew get whacked by other kids (and vice versa) at that age. Guess I need the same motto, "Get used to it!" :)
It's football get used to it??? They're also 9 years old ... and fragile children... Matthew has no interest in playing. Thank goodness! I don't think I'd make a good football mom - I wouldn't watch either! Way to hang tuff Andrew!!! You may want to invest in some Tylenol for that "helmet headache"
I shared this story with Scott and he agreed, it's football get used to it. Seriously? Football players are a different breed! He also said while in Cleveland the equipment manager would take out Scott's frontal pad from his helmet and park his car tire on it to try and flatten it out! Scott didn't like his helmets tight. And he continued this at Cincinnati. So I guess if the headaches get too bad, park your car on it! :)
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