From time to time posters reference the mythical "participation trophy" with varying levels of disdain and as further evidence of the touchy feely wimpification of America. When I reflect upon the high school kids banging around in practice, two-a-days, scrimmages, and games in the oppresive heat (and later in the bitter cold), I say put me down as an advocate of recognizing their effort. Regardless of how far down on the depth chart a kid might be and how many games his team might win, the fact that he is out there should be applauded. So, to the worst player on the worst team in the state, if you are out there practicing tomorrow, you have my respect. Well done.

Great post, and I am with you. The kids work hard and talent comes in big degrees of separation. Regardless, everyone is out there and feeling good about themselves. My son's team was hitting practice for the last two weeks at 7:00 am. That means up at 5:45 and on the field at 7 to beat the heat. I love dropping him off and seeing his teammates out there at that hour. It shows dedication, desire, commitment and that you like being a part of something special. I give much admiration to these kids.

Great post, and I am with you. The kids work hard and talent comes in big degrees of separation. Regardless, everyone is out there and feeling good about themselves. My son's team was hitting practice for the last two weeks at 7:00 am. That means up at 5:45 and on the field at 7 to beat the heat. I love dropping him off and seeing his teammates out there at that hour. It shows dedication, desire, commitment and that you like being a part of something special. I give much admiration to these kids.

 

This is the best post that I have read on here in a long time. This sums up how I felt as a player, coach, official, and most of all as a father.

ttt

From time to time posters reference the mythical "participation trophy" with varying levels of disdain and as further evidence of the touchy feely wimpification of America. When I reflect upon the high school kids banging around in practice, two-a-days, scrimmages, and games in the oppresive heat (and later in the bitter cold), I say put me down as an advocate of recognizing their effort. Regardless of how far down on the depth chart a kid might be and how many games his team might win, the fact that he is out there should be applauded. So, to the worst player on the worst team in the state, if you are out there practicing tomorrow, you have my respect. Well done.

 

I had never thought about it like that but I agree with you.

From time to time posters reference the mythical "participation trophy" with varying levels of disdain and as further evidence of the touchy feely wimpification of America. When I reflect upon the high school kids banging around in practice, two-a-days, scrimmages, and games in the oppresive heat (and later in the bitter cold), I say put me down as an advocate of recognizing their effort. Regardless of how far down on the depth chart a kid might be and how many games his team might win, the fact that he is out there should be applauded. So, to the worst player on the worst team in the state, if you are out there practicing tomorrow, you have my respect. Well done.

 

 

Well stated Flotsam. Any kid that chooses to play football and deal with demands of practice (and in particular the heat that we've experienced) deserves our respect regardless of whether his team wins all his games or loses all of them.

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