“If all I have taught you is how to block and tackle, then I have failed as a coach.”
– Ed Thomas (1950 – 2009), legendary high school football coach at Aplington – Parkersburg in Iowa. Thomas produced five NFL players from his tiny school
The contrasts are always easy to see.
Texas and Iowa high school football.
Contrasts: 14,000 seat stadiums vs. 2,000 seat stadiums. 120 kids dressed vs. 60 kids dressed. 45 minute, 2-band half-time shows vs. 15 minute, 1-band halftime shows. 90-degree kick-off temperatures vs. 69-degree kick off temperatures. Turf everywhere vs. Mud most places.
Similarities: Kids playing their hearts out for pride of school and sheer enjoyment of the game. Some parents desperately trying to re-live their glory days through their kids’ careers. Most parents simply loving watching their kids play their heart out for pride of school and sheer enjoyment of the game.
Fans in both places will say their approach is better. They’ll both be right. It’s better than what’s on the news. It’s better than what’s around the water cooler. It’s better than the drama, wherever the drama originates. It’s better because of the similarities and in spite of the contrasts.
Particularly this election year, but most any time, we’re constantly reminded of the contrasts. But it’s the similarities that bind us together. On Friday nights? Yes. And particularly in this election year. May those similarities be as easy to find as those apparent under Friday Night Lights all over the USA.
Mike Kirisits says
Love it Steve! I have Great Nephew ( I guess that’s what you call him) who with his lovely wife are fantastic parents to two young boys (13 and 9 I think). He’s a very successful Electrical Contractor and she is an EXTREMELY successful Realator in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. They love football, wspecially High School Football! For several years now they take the boys to a local High School Football game every Friday. Every week they go see a different team. Last night was the first this year. Your post makes me think of them and reflect on how proud I am of how they are raising their boys. We really need more parents like this!!! Miss ya Steve!