Football is like life.

My son and I ate dinner together last night. This in and of itself is a rare occasion for most people let alone ourselves. Too often we do not take the time to do what is important; we do what is easy.

As we ate, we spoke of the team’s success throughout the year culminating with a win at the Carrier Dome. We spoke of the individual and the team awards and the importance of characteristics such as character and integrity. I discussed with him the importance of continuing to demonstrate those very important characteristics he will continue to find success on and off the football field. Of course following this course can often be difficult. The winds blow hard from both the port and starboard sides and it is these times we find ourselves veering off course. We spoke of our moral compass and the importance of following it so we can regain our footing on our path.

We also spoke of the leadership exuded by so many of his teammates and the coaching staff for it was this leadership which guided this team to the State Championship. Coach Jantzi said it best when during a recent post-game interview he suggested the team “never bickered, never backed down from adversity and worked hard during the season as well as during the off-season.”

There is an oak tree in front of my house. On calm summer days I liked spending some time sitting on my front porch contemplating simple things. Eventually my gaze would wander to this tree; it’s magnificent trunk reaching into the sky; it’s branches reaching out and up as if to say, “I am strong.” When Fall arrives and the tree stands bare of it’s leafy coat, it’s strength becomes increasingly apparent. It’s branches, like bony fingers still reach to the sky as if to say, “I am not dead. I am still here and I will be back with a vengeance in the Spring.” For this is our life. Our lives often follow an irregular patter of successes and failures. It is important to return to our moral compass to find the combination of things which will help us return to a successful direction.

This team will move on to complete the remainder of the school year. Some will return for another season of football while others will move on to play at a higher level. Those players returning to NTHS will seek to continue what was begun this season. This level of successs is possible if you keep your attitude in check and continue to work hard. Stephen and the others look forward to the receipt of their championship rings. Those rings should be worn proudly but not flaunted. Remember, your humility for it is what kept you grounded throughout the season and will help you maintain a sense of being grounded in the future.

As I wrote this I found tears in my eyes, again. This is pretty common for me as I used to say “I was cursed with having feelings.” As I grow older, with me grows my appreciation for what people can accomplish, not the superficial success but the deep down “I knew I could do it if I pushed myself just a alittle bit harder” success. Like anyone else I find myself whining from time to time but work quickly to snap myself back into reality as the time and energy wasted whining does me no good. The tears I shed are not tears of sadness but tears of joy. They remind me of the need to be humble and to maintain a sense of humility in all of the things I do for it is this sense which helps to keep me grounded.

Kujo was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award. Nice job Kujo!

Here’s the boys getting their individual awards.