In + Around Austin

Where Minimum Touch Meets Maximum Effort | Future For Football

September 16, 2024

Future For Football is an initiative of the National Football Foundation, created to highlight the lessons and values that football imparts. Get involved and sign up to play today by visiting Future for Football for resources, a League Locator tool, and much more.

This is a story about football, but not just any story. This is a story where adversity meets tenacity, where “minimum touch” meets maximum effort and where we see that heart goes beyond the art on the field. Everyone knows that EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas, including football. Friday Night Lights is a real thing where the homecoming mums weigh 20 lbs, where “more cowbell” isn’t a Saturday Night Live skit and where little boys become men before your very eyes. Football matters and the Future For Football is so bright.

My oldest turned 14 this year, which if I’m being honest, is an awkward time for a lot of kids. Some boys are starting to go through puberty while others aren’t even close. Some kids are starting to look like grown men while others still very much look like little boys. I don’t like to use words like “always” or “never”, but my son rarely {if ever} passes the eye test when it comes to sports. He’s not the biggest, he’s not the fastest and he typically has to work 10x harder than his peers to master what’s in front of him. Football is a technical, complex and physical sport and in our family’s lengthy time playing the game, we’ve seen some incredible athletes; however, we’ve also experienced some tough lessons in continuing to work really hard even if you don’t think that effort is being noticed. We’ve been part of some really incredible and beautiful moments in playing this sport and while our son likely won’t be the biggest, fastest or strongest player again this year, we also know that what he’s gaining is helping him win at the game of life.

With only one football in the game it’s obvious that only one kid can have the ball at any given time, but it can be tough to keep that perspective when it’s your own child not in the spotlight. It’s natural to want the best for your kid, and it can be challenging when you see others getting opportunities you feel your child deserves. Balancing support and encouragement while respecting the team dynamics can be tricky, but it’s important for fostering a positive experience for everyone involved.

For years we’ve witnessed our son encourage from the sideline far more than played on the field. We’ve watched him raise his hand first to pray over his teammates and he’s always the first to say “good job” when his teammates come off the field. He may not go on to have a career in football, but the life lessons he’s learning along the way are invaluable.

From leadership and teamwork to discipline and toughness, the game of football has been such a fun and rewarding experience and well worth the sweaty ride.

The significance of youth football is undeniable and we are excited to be partnering with the National Football Foundation, an organization that was established over 75 years ago with a mission to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America’s young people. We have seen immense growth in our boys throughout their youth sports “careers”, but we have seen undeniable changes during their time playing football. As we promote the importance of development for our youth, youth football stands as a steadfast advocate, nurturing young minds and bodies for a future that demands nothing less than the best.