My husband is a football coach. He would be the first to tell you he was better at baseball when he played, but he's always enjoyed football more. This man makes a fabulous coach, because he is such a fabulous teacher. He can relate to and connect with kids in ways most people can not. Coaching is something he has always enjoyed.
He coached high school when the kids were younger. Robert was allowed to attend practices with him when he was really young. When Robert decided to play football in sixth grade, Andrew was thrilled to be an assistant coach for his team. Football was definitely not Robert's thing. We remember the day he came home nearly in tears telling us, "I hurt. I hurt all over." He wailed and moaned. To be honest, Andrew and I kind of laughed and said, "What did you think was going to happen?" After all, our family watches football nearly whenever possible, and he was the one who had gone to practices as a child. Robert was very upfront at the beginning of that season that football was a one and done endeavor for him.
We never thought there would be any more football in our house...at least as a player. Andrew enjoyed coaching middle school last year, and is looking forward to coaching again this year. Thomas had mentioned several times last year that he thought it would be fun to play football. At no point were Andrew or I in favor of this, but we also aren't going to tell him no. After all, with Andrew coaching kids Thomas's age it seemed pretty hypocritical. We didn't necessarily encourage him, but we weren't overly enthusiastic either. However, in March he sent an email to his dad with "an announcement". He had decided to play football. When I asked what made him make that decision he replied, "I want to be like Dad. I want to be with my Dad. Dad is pretty much my idol." There was no way we were going to say no to that!
He's attended a few off season things, but I honestly thought it would end right there. It has not. Andrew finally took him shopping today for football cleats, so he is officially committed. Andrew also bought him some football gloves, and Thomas couldn't wait to get home and try them out. They went out in the back yard and threw the football and ran plays for nearly an hour. I'm not going to lie...I have my concerns about Thomas playing. At the same time, I sure loved seeing that father/son moment in our back yard. I know that this season is also going to allow for many more of those moments!
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