MOM'S DAY

 

 

No, it wasn’t Mothers Day but it was a day for mothers.  At a time when the ethics of some involved in athletics is being questioned your faith is restored by someone like Jim Walker, head high school football coach of the Redlands Terriers. 

As we head into football season at high schools across the country it was his idea to include the mothers of his players in a day of fun, which began with a late lunch of lasagna, salad, mixed fruit and brownies.  While players and Mom’s were munching away Coach Walker made his way around the room, stopping at each table to introduce his players.  They, in turn, were to introduce their Mom’s and tell why they love them and a secret about them that no one knows anything about. 

This made for some very heartwarming comments as well as some hilarity.  If I were keeping tabs I would say the most often heard comment was in appreciation for the sacrifices made by their mothers.  A close second was “She’s always there for me.”  Some burly, tough-as-nails football players revealed a soft side when expressing their feelings for their mothers.  The mothers too were touched by words they may not have heard for a while.    

When it came to the secrets some players showed promise as future stand-up comics.  One boy said his mother had been arrested when she was in college for being involved in a protest movement she felt strongly about.  Another said his Mom had been in jail 11 times.  “Just kidding, ha-ha.”  Then he tried to save himself by saying she had won the league 100 meter championship as a sprinter on the track team.  Nice save. 

From there everyone adjourned to the football field.  There Mom’s joined their sons for a sampling of what the boys go through at a typical football practice.  They were grouped by position.  The defense and their Mom’s were at one end of the field and the offense and their Mom’s were at the other. 

The mothers were all decked out in everything but shoulder pads and helmets.  Wearing eye black and their son’s jerseys they went through calisthenics to get loose and avoid a hammy injury then ran some plays.  They were taught the proper stance and what to do when the ball was snapped.  Being properly warmed up and having received a crash course in Football 101, they were ready.  The respective coaches worked them into a frenzy then sent them to mid-field to do battle. 

You know how they say a dog looks like its owner.  Well the same can be said for people.  Kids look like their parents.  I am trying to be delicate here but the mothers looked like their son’s.  The backs and receivers Mom’s appeared smallish while the Mom’s of the linemen were a little healthier looking.  As they glared across the line at each other, it was on.

My daughter Romy was the QB for the offense and was being tutored by Kody, the son of her fiancée and the QB of the Redlands Terriers.   They were lined up in something resembling a winged-T formation with all kinds of Mom’s in motion, fake hand-offs and deceptive trickery.  Some of which worked and some of which the defense stuffed.  Romy connected on a skinny post pattern and another to a Mom in a different colored jersey.  One Mom, whose son must have been a full back, took a handoff on a sweep left, built up a head of steam and bowled over everyone in sight for a nice gain.

The contest was declared a draw.  There were high fives and fist bumps all around followed by a picture taking session on the field that I am sure will produce some great memories.

The best part of the day for me came just before the group broke up after the dinner.  The last player and Mom had been introduced when Coach Walker, who is in his last season as coach, spoke up.  He talked of the importance of a strong family, saying that the success of the team this season would begin with strong support at home.  While there are many facets to such support this day spent with boys proudly showing their Mom’s what they do after school and love so much while the Mom’s show the boys how much they mean to them, will be a huge step in the right direction.  The win-at-all-cost coaches could take a lesson from Coach Walker about what is really important in life.