I had the opportunity to play football on every level – from Pop Warner to the NFL – and for me there is nothing like high school football.

 

What makes high school football so special goes well beyond the Xs and Os. It reflects in the genuine love and passion that players, coaches and fans exhibit for the sport and for each other.

 

Once athletes and coaches get beyond high school ball, the game becomes more of a business. Factors such as scholarships, salaries, facilities, apparel contracts and TV deals help decide what takes place on and off the field, how the game is played from the player’s perspective and how it is perceived by fans.

 

In high school, these things are a pipe dream to most participants and far enough off to not impact the classrooms, weight rooms and fields where coaches and players prepare for Friday nights. It’s about school and community pride, playing alongside friends – many of whom have known each other since kindergarten.

 

On Friday nights across America, entire cities shut down and everyone convenes at the local high school football game. Players and coaches pour it all out on the field in an effort to prevail. Fans pack the stands to support and cheer on student-athletes they know and have relationships with. There is a genuine love and desire to see the team and players do well.

 

I am concerned that some high school football programs are starting to take on the business mindset of college and professional football. Apparel contracts and long-distance travel are tearing away the fabric of what high school football is and should be.

 

There is nothing like high school football, and we need to remember that | Youth Football | USA Football | Football's National Governing Body

Agree! There is nothing like quality high school football.

I regret not playing when asked by the coaching staff at my school. But I had money on the brain. I did get to play basketball but my parents wouldn't run for two sports.

Kids this day and time see football as too hard and would rather stand in the outfield or wait 2 days for their turn to pitch or go inside to the air indoors gym and shoot basketball where a slap is a foul.

Football is too hard for kids now, too many mommies and scardy cat daddies are making a world full of pansie boys.

Kids this day and time see football as too hard and would rather stand in the outfield or wait 2 days for their turn to pitch or go inside to the air indoors gym and shoot basketball where a slap is a foul.

Football is too hard for kids now, too many mommies and scardy cat daddies are making a world full of pansie boys.

 

I can only assume you meant "pansy." Miriam Webster defines a pansy as follows:

 

1:  a garden plant (Viola wittrockiana) derived chiefly from the hybridization of the European Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor) with other wild violets; also :  its flower

 

2a usually disparaging :  a weak or effeminate man or boy, usually disparaging :  a male homosexual.

 

So what exactly are "mommies and scardy (sp) cat daddies" making and why are you so bothered/interested?

Edited April 25, 201610 yr by Sir!

Kids this day and time see football as too hard and would rather stand in the outfield or wait 2 days for their turn to pitch or go inside to the air indoors gym and shoot basketball where a slap is a foul.

Football is too hard for kids now, too many mommies and scardy cat daddies are making a world full of pansie boys.

 

Gross generalization, my friend.

I didn't read the entire article. I've always said football is unique in a few areas and , like all sports, has some great life lessons.

 

I'll say the guy was a bit romantic in his "towns shutting down" comment. That is a BIG exception to the rule.

Kids this day and time see football as too hard and would rather stand in the outfield or wait 2 days for their turn to pitch or go inside to the air indoors gym and shoot basketball where a slap is a foul.

Football is too hard for kids now, too many mommies and scardy cat daddies are making a world full of pansie boys.

 

More of the common themes about "the good ole days" and "kids today are soft". It's the same thing our parents said about our generation, and our grandparents said about our parents. It wasn't true then, and it's even less true now. Kids are pushed harder now athletically than ever. Year round lifting programs, spring football, camps, 7 on 7's, daily and film study using HUDL. Yes, they do have other activities to choose from now. And some have chosen to move from being a part time football player, to a full time player in another sport. But that doesn't make them pansies or soft.

More of the common themes about "the good ole days" and "kids today are soft". It's the same thing our parents said about our generation, and our grandparents said about our parents. It wasn't true then, and it's even less true now. Kids are pushed harder now athletically than ever. Year round lifting programs, spring football, camps, 7 on 7's, daily and film study using HUDL. Yes, they do have other activities to choose from now. And some have chosen to move from being a part time football player, to a full time player in another sport. But that doesn't make them pansies or soft.

 

The kids are being made into PANSY kids by mommies and mamaws. Most dads dont have guts to stand up to their wives and let their kids play.

 

Another problem is parents let the kids decide what they want to play and if they want to quit. Kids are not capable of decisions anymore. Parents should not let kids quit, it teaches them that quitting is easy.

The kids are being made into PANSY kids by mommies and mamaws. Most dads dont have guts to stand up to their wives and let their kids play.

 

Another problem is parents let the kids decide what they want to play and if they want to quit. Kids are not capable of decisions anymore. Parents should not let kids quit, it teaches them that quitting is easy.

 

Zero chance I am criticizing any parent who has safety concerns about the sport. Too many questions (on both sides) and many are choosing to err on the side of safety.

 

Again, your gross generalizations are just too much.

Are you really suggesting that parents should force kids to play a sport they don't like? I love high school football and would love for it to thrive forever but if my kid doesn't want to play, then that is his decision and his life to live.

The kids are being made into PANSY kids by mommies and mamaws. Most dads dont have guts to stand up to their wives and let their kids play.

 

Another problem is parents let the kids decide what they want to play and if they want to quit. Kids are not capable of decisions anymore. Parents should not let kids quit, it teaches them that quitting is easy.

 

I guess I'm one of those pansy parents. My youngest quit football after his freshman year after playing the previous 6 years. He decided to dedicate more time to the much softer sport of wrestling. He also gave up baseball to play tennis. So I guess you are saying I should have intervened and forced him to play football instead of wrestling in national level events in the fall?? Thanks for pointing out where I went wrong.

 

I love football. I've coached football (and still do) for much of my adult life. And the last thing I need on my football team is a kid that doesn't want to be there. Not playing football doesn't make you a pansy.

I guess I'm one of those pansy parents. My youngest quit football after his freshman year after playing the previous 6 years. He decided to dedicate more time to the much softer sport of wrestling. He also gave up baseball to play tennis. So I guess you are saying I should have intervened and forced him to play football instead of wrestling in national level events in the fall?? Thanks for pointing out where I went wrong.

 

I love football. I've coached football (and still do) for much of my adult life. And the last thing I need on my football team is a kid that doesn't want to be there. Not playing football doesn't make you a pansy.

 

Im talking about kids who quit and do NOTHING.

 

Yes kids who quit in HS are still kids and shouldnt make the decison either. Too many variables to let them decide, from girlfriends, to friends who are quitters too, etc.

Zero chance I am criticizing any parent who has safety concerns about the sport. Too many questions (on both sides) and many are choosing to err on the side of safety.

 

Again, your gross generalizations are just too much.

 

Well better not let them into a car. More kids are killed in traffic accidents than football.

Im talking about kids who quit and do NOTHING.

 

Yes kids who quit in HS are still kids and shouldnt make the decison either. Too many variables to let them decide, from girlfriends, to friends who are quitters too, etc.

 

What about the kid that decides a job is more important than sports? Is he a pansy?? I love sports, and would recommend all kids find a sport they love to play. But sports aren't for everyone, especially contact sports. The toughest kids for coaches to deal with are the ones who's parents are making them them play, and don't really want to be there.