Maybelle Crabtree here. Ten more lessons from football? Are you kidding me? No, I am not. I actually learned an additional TEN life lessons as a Football Mom. And if you haven’t read my first Football Mom post click here. Hey, I was a Football Mom for six years of my life.. Heck, Holly was still in an infant seat when Matthew first began playing. She was the “mascot” for the team back then. But I digress.
Without a doubt, sports can teach us about life. And not just football. But other sports also. Maybe, in the future, I’ll write about those sports lessons. Admittedly, I believe every child, whether for just a season or for years, should be involved in some kind of sport activity. Everyone has a sport inside them whether it’s a team sport or an individual one
So without further ado, I present ten more Football Mom lessons.
1) Sometimes You Get Hurt.
No one is guaranteed a problem-free life. You get hurt somewhere along the way – mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How you deal with the pain is what matters most. Overcome and become stronger.
2) Sometimes you lose some ground.
Ever feel for every step you take forward, you’re taking two steps back? Yep, me too. Have the determination to continue stepping forward. Even though it’s not easy, you can do it.
3) Listen to your coaches.
We all have people in our live who are more knowledgeable than us. They’ve played longer and know the ins and outs better than we do. These people have studied the playbook, watched the films, and keep us going in the direction of our goal. Seek them out and listen to them.
4) Take a timeout and regroup.
You’re on the field. You look out in front of you and something doesn’t look right. Do you have the right play? Take a timeout and talk it over with the team and coaches. You want to make sure what you’re doing is successful.
5) Sometimes you watch from the sidelines.
You need rest. You need to see the game from a different perspective. You’ll be a better player when it’s your turn to play again.
6) Someone will try to take the ball from you.
It’s a part of life. You have something someone wants – the ball. Tuck it tighter to you and never let go.
7) People always win when they work together.
It may not be what you envisioned but you will never lose.
8) You have a cheering section.
Your loyal fans are always in your corner. They root for you regardless of the outcome. They’re glad you’re playing in the game.
9) Never leave a teammate behind.
I watched Matthew, many times, finish a practice drill. He looked back and saw a teammate floundering in the back of the pack. He ran back to the struggling boy and repeat the drill with him until his teammate was over the finish line. A team is only as strong as its weakest player.
10) Get back up when you’re knocked down and offer a hand to someone still on the ground.
We all get battered and bruised in life. Sometimes we lie there on the ground wondering if it’s worth getting up again. Then a hand is offered and life is worth living again.
Now for a Football Mom lessons bonus!
Shake hands with the other team and say, “Good game,” when the game is over. In all my years watching from the bleachers, the most important part for me was the end of the game. Not because Matthew survived unharmed. But because of what happened next. Two opposing teams lined up on the fifty yard line, gave each other high-fives, and congratulated each other on a game well played. The trash-talking and taunting gone; left on the field. Respect and sportsmanship shone through.
In short, we can learn a lot from sports. Life gets messy. Winners are crowned. And losers may cry. Yards are gained and lost. We get hurt and sidelined. But if we help each other up, cheer each other on, and shake hands, we can all have a good game. Because it won’t matter what the scoreboard shows. What matters is playing the game..
Maybelle Crabtree signing off.