football

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Dear Jack: Your Final Football Game of Your 8th Grade Year

13 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

This week was the end of an era, as you played in your final game of your first season of football.

Our whole family was there, even Grandma and Joe even flew out from California to see you.

Fortunately, the season was a success! I define this by you not getting any injuries, and…

Because you tried something new and you put your heart into it.

(I still love the fact that you were recruited by your friends to play during your first week at your new school.)

Now the question becomes… what’s next?

You have consistently experimented with so many activities throughout your life.

It’s as if you’re the “jack of all trades”…

 

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: You Have a Football Mom

13 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Well, it’s evident you have fans, as an 8th grade football player in a new school.

Not only do you have family members willing to drive an hour away during the tale end of business hours to watch you play, but you also have a mom who spent time carefully ordering several football shirts to wear to your games.

She’s got your name and number on her shirts, themed with your team colors.

You may not be able to realize it now, as you’re living it in real time, but you are surrounded by family and friends who keep showing up for you.

And we are proud of you.

It’s undeniable that playing football is bringing out a new sense of confidence in you.

You show no fear out on the field and you are always eager to be a part of the action.

This is clearly such an important part of your development as a teenage boy. I love being able to see this play out.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: What It’s Like Watching You Play Football

13 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Last weekend, we drove to Gadsden and Scottsboro on a search to find you some more clothes for school. Silly me- I had expectations of spending decent money on a preppy new wardrobe for you, consisting of polo shirts and nice jeans.

Nope.

While you did snag a couple of vague t-shirts from American Eagle, you were much more interested in an urban-themed store called Snipes.

You spent most of your time shopping there. After much consideration, you chose a NASCAR t-shirt as well as one with Tupac that says, “Keep Ya Head Up”.

And I suppose that phrase is what I will have to keep reminding myself at each of your football games.

I’m sure, as your dad, I’m supposed to be more like, “That’s my boy out there! Number 37!”

Instead, the real game going on in my head is this:

I just celebrate each completed quarter that you don’t get injured.

Therefore, your team “won” the game this week; despite what the scoreboard said.

I’m keeping my head up- and so are you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Cheering On Your Brother at His Football Game

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

To support your brother at his football game this week, you and your cousin wore matching cheerleader outfits to the event.

This was actually the first football game you have ever been to in your life- now that I think of it.

You seemed to have a good time there.

And that’s good- because we’re all going to be spending the next two months watching your brother play football at his games.

You definitely liked the part about Mommy giving you some money to spend on concessions. You came back with a Coca-Cola.

Fortunately, despite the caffeine so close to bedtime, you had no trouble falling asleep.

And I love the drawing you brought home from school this week. In your opinion, Fort Payne will win the football games because A) your brother is playing on the team, and B) there are lots of good cheerleaders.

You truly support your brother and his team!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your 1st Football Game This Week

13 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

There is a saying: “Well that escalated quickly!”

That is exactly how I feel about you playing football: Just a couple of weeks ago, you started a brand-new school in Alabama; to which you were quickly recruited by your new friends and the coach.

Last week, I started picking you up everyday after school from football practice.

And now, this week, you played your first game?!

Uh… what?

That’s you- number 37 out there.

I would have never guessed this. But the reality is…

You play football and you love it.

This is totally your thing. Out of nowhere, with no previous consideration before moving to Alabama.

But this is you now.

Love,

Daddy