I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a brief story on commitment, courage, and responsibility. My eight-year-old son, Cantrell, decided this year that he wanted to play football. My wife Vicki and I were somewhat skeptical about this, considering the fact that Cantrell had really not ever been involved in anything this … strenuous/athletic/demanding. We immediately warned him of the dangers, i.e. people will be hitting him real hard, he will be knocked to the ground, and he will have to be able to hit people back. He assured us that this was not a problem; that he was up to it, so we relented, and took him to practice to sign up.

                Things were okay for the first week or so; the kids were not in full pads and all, so there was no hitting, and Cantrell seemed to be doing pretty well, so things were looking good. Then it came time to purchase the pads and helmets and all and we took Cantrell to the side and told him that it was now time to make a decision. If we were going to commit to putting out money for a helmet, shoulder pads, pants and pads, he was going to have to commit to the entire season, and not quit at the first sign of trouble. Of course Cantrell said that he was up to the task, and that he would be able to do it.

                Well, unfortunately, once the pads came on, things changed. Vicki and I went to all the practices, and dog gone if the first time Cantrell got hit really hard, his outlook on the whole matter changed. He decided right then and there that he wanted to quit. This was not an option, and we told him so. Of course this did not sit well with the dude, and for the week or so, it was a constant battle to have him maintain some sense of decorum. It got to the point at one time to where we were about to relent and let him have his way. I mean it was just not fair to the coaches and the team to have to constantly have to stop what they were doing and deal with the situation, was it? Then Vicki and I decided on a new tactic. We came to the conclusion that perhaps our presence at practice was exacerbating the situation somewhat, that if we left the dude there with just coaches and teammates, perhaps he would do better. We thought that maybe he was ashamed at our seeing him not be the best one on the field, and that maybe that made things worse.

                The coach agreed to this, so we started leaving him there and we would go home and pick him up later. It worked, but not all at once. He still had his moments, but they were fewer than before, and as time went on, they became less frequent. Of course we (Vicki more so than I) would sneak up to the school and watch from a distance, just to see how our little monkey was doing, don’t you know. 

                Then came the first game, and we weren’t sure what to do. I mean Cantrell was going to be in public in front of a bunch of people, and I was concerned that he might get into a situation where he might … how can I put this delicately … a situation where he might embarrass himself. But my fears were dashed when Cantrell decided that he should prove his toughness by having a buddy hit him the gut. I watched as he was hit, and bent over double in the grass. I went over to see what was going on, and there was the dude, doubled over, face down in the grass, not moving. This was a relief to me, as I was expecting him to be bawling, but there he was, dealing with the consequences of his actions. I knew right then that the bridge had been crossed, that everything was going to be okay. And it was, he made it through the game with no incident.                

                I wish I could say that the rest of the season and all went that well, but we still had a long way to go. Cantrell had his ups and downs, but made steady progress throughout the season. He even decided, on his own, that he wanted to be the center, in his words, “the guy that gives the quarterback the ball.” This he did, and fairly well; well enough to start most of the games, even.        

                This was a quantum leap forward for him, and made us really proud. Here is this kid who couldn’t stand getting hit just a few weeks ago asking if he could be right there on the offensive line. No one keys on the center in junior pee wee football, of course, so it wasn’t like he was dealing with any intense situations, but it was a big step. He even got to the point at the end of the season where he would snap the ball and start actively pursuing someone to block, not just run ahead for a few steps and turn around to see what was happening.

                We are real proud of Cantrell, but I have to give credit where credit is due. The coaching staff of the North Rome Junior Pee Wee Colts (men with the patience of Job himself) has got to be the best group of guys you could ever want to have coaching your children. These guys are committed to not only teaching skills, but also, they teach what to do with those skills. And the most important things is, they are not so busy chasing the championship that a kid like Cantrell can fall through the cracks. This speaks volumes on the integrity and commitment of these fine men.

                I would like to personally thank them right here and now for the outstanding job that they did with not only my son, but with the entire team. Their names are, Bill Jones, Barry Fielder, Donnell McClure, and Melvin Greene. These men are giants among others who take time out of their busy lives to coach youth football teams. They are to be commended for the fine job that they do.

                At the beginning of the season, I admit I had my doubts as to whether the Colts, who had won the championship the last two years, were going to be able to win the championship again. They had a lot of young guys, but the coaches went to work doing their thing, and yes, the trophy came back home, and the Colts are again the champions of Junior Pee Wee football. This is an awesome testament to the dedication and commitment displayed by these fine men, these giants.

                This season has given my wife and me some memories we will cherish for a lifetime. It was a time when, in the words of Coach Donnell McClure, “Cantrell came into this season a little boy, and came out a young man”

                Yes he did, Donnell, yes he did, due to the guidance and leadership skills of you guys, yes he did. Thank you all, we are forever indebted to you for your patience, understanding, leadership and love.