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THE GRIDIRON — When it comes to youth sports I think all of us can take it a little far. We want to see our kids succeed, but we do so at the peril of the kids sometimes. I had the opportunity to coach my 8-year-old son's baseball team this last year. These were first and second graders and most of them were learning how to play for their first time. We kept score and there were playoffs, but at the end of the day what really mattered was that those kids were there to have fun.
Unfortunately, it was a little too easy for some adults to forget that. I may never be asked to coach again because during a game at the end of the season I snapped. I yelled and called people out, but it wasn't at any of the kids on my team or the other team. It was at parents, but not because our kids were winning or because there was a bad call. I was yelling and losing my cool because my parents started going nuts over a call. The right call was made, but those who were unhappy would not stop. And those who were happy wouldn't let it go.
I finally walked off the field and yelled, "Stop! Everyone stop! These kids are 6, 7 and 8. They are here to have fun and you are making it the opposite of that. Who cares who wins and who cares who loses? Let them learn and have some fun!"
The yelling stopped, but no one was happy. My yelling about taking the fun out of it also just so happened to take the fun out of it. Who knew?
Love this game on so many levels and this is the best level! Don't be to serious! Be like #67!! #HaveFun!! 🏈🏈🏈🏈 pic.twitter.com/EDQ1ZVx9dn
— Cory Meyer (@corymeyer) September 5, 2021
My point is, youth sports are great, especially when us parents take a step back and let these kids be kids and have a good time. That's exactly what number 67 is doing in this video. During warm-ups of his little league football game, this little guy is getting ready by having the time of his life and grooving out to the music over the speaker. This kid gets it: Compete, play hard, be fair and most importantly, have fun.
Thanks for the reminder, 67, and I'd like to send an apology to all those parents and grandparents who had to hear me snap.
Have You Seen This?
Looks like Kyle Kuzma shrunk in the wash
It takes an awfully big sweater to make a 6-foot-10-inch man look this small. Say what you will about the style choice, but Kyle Kuzma definitely has courage.
