Football for Life

I used to be an A number one football hater until I saw football for what it is a metaphor for life. As a high school teacher and ski coach one of the highlights of my year now is to sit in our stadium and watch high school football practice.
The other night, I was watching "Any Given Sunday" and the defensive coach played by Jim Brown said to the head coach played by Al Pacino that he was going to retire and coach high school football because kids play football for the sake of playing, money is not an issue only love.
I do not know if that is the case for all high school players particularly for the stars but it is the case for those who are near the top or closer to the bottom of the football hierarchy. Football for many young men is one of the only reasons they attend high school, the only reason they make passing grades , the only reason they get up in the morning.
Some people say this is wrong and young men should not be as focused on sports and more focused on academics. I say anything that keeps them in school and achieving is very important. Football if coached right builds character and creates in young men a work ethic and a sense of pride.
The football coach at the school that I teach at Saint Paul Central high school is Scott Howell. Coach Howell is a living example to these of the importance of character on both the playing fields, the classroom, the city and life itself. I have seen him bench star player with attitude problems, bad school behavior or players who do not take their academics seriously . Scott has a no pass no play policy that he extends not only to the worst players but the stars equally.
Often sports are criticized by society as not being a good example of what young men and women should focus on . I see it as a good way to build solid citizens who have goals and expectations. These students more often reach their goals when they are led by coaches like Scott Howell who understand that football as in life extends to many areas beyond the playing fields.