I am not sure what it was that caused me to first love football. It certainly wasn't something I observed as I was the oldest child and my father isn't even remotely athletic or really interested in athletics. I suppose as a child I might have just loved how "cool" the players looked in their uniforms. But I know what it is about this game that I love now. To me all sports or athletic contests are commendable and anytime someone has a passion for anything from cycling to ice skating I think it is great. However, I feel no other sport challenges the athlete like football. All of the values of hard work, overcoming adversity, perseverance, mental toughness, compassion, teamwork, selflessness, and just about any other superlative you can come up with is taught in football when it is taught right.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great."
While the quote was used in a movie about women's baseball, that sums up football in three short sentences. The game isn't for everyone and there are certainly risks. But it is the "hard" in football that makes it the greatest game.
I have been fortunate to have been involved in football as either a player or a coach for most of my life. I don't have much natural athletic ability so I have always felt I was a better coach than I was a player. But either way, I love the game. So, it is here where I will explore both the positive and negative as I discuss the game.
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