Dear Coach,
My sweet 11 year old son Will texted me from school yesterday to tell me about your conversation during gym class. The conversation where you told him he was “slow, has no strength and will never be a running back” put a dagger through his heart. And that broke MY heart.
Your words were immensely unkind. I’d like to think you regretted them immediately.
Will has played tackle football since kindergarten. He has played every minute of every game since 2nd grade, except for when he broke his leg in 4th grade during a football game. (Ironically he broke his leg running the ball as a running back and carried two of the opposing team, who were trying to tackle him, a few steps before they fell on him… which broke his leg.) One week later, in a full leg cast while sitting in a wheelchair, he still asked his coaches to put him in the game.
This kid-o of mine is a hard worker. He has dyslexia and with the help of some great teachers, he is getting an A in ELA this year. Challenges are not a problem for him. He does nothing half way.
Coach, you won’t find many kids with his passion and love of football. He loves the game and lives for football season. Challenge Will, he does not like to disappoint his coach. Especially a coach that respects and encourages him.
Let him know what skills he needs to show up with at tryouts. Let him know you are cheering for him to put in the work and be successful. And if he falls short, don’t belittle him. Challenge him some more.
“How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.” ~Lou Holtz
From now until football tryouts next year, is Will’s second half. Coach, your challenge has been accepted! See you next fall.
Erin Has Something To Say 