Youth Football, Life Lessons
Published on May 12, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.
-Vince Lombardi
In a world in which children are exposed to different stimuli at all hours of the day, it is important to stress the need for kids to be kids. Many children today are mesmerized by the glow of the television or computer screen, but part of being a kid is getting out and scraping some knees once in a while.
The New York Dragons in conjunction with the AFL are recognizing May as Youth Football Month. For the entire month of May, children will be featured during games. You can also read stories on league websites about players' and coaches' recollections of their experiences growing up with the game.
Dragons wide-receiver Terry Moss, defensive back Billy Parker and assistant coach Jerome Brown were a couple of the Dragons who recalled their youth football days, either playing or coaching. Each of these men attribute where they are in their lives today to the game of football. Coach Brown provides his own experiences, in addition to those of his sons' playing football. Moss recalls his experiences playing football in grade school. Parker, in addition to recalling his own experiences playing football his whole life, is able to provide insight to what it was like for him to coach high school football.
When asked about his experiences playing football as a kid, Moss recalls his first year of youth football, when his team won the fourth grade championship. Moss, in his rookie season with the Dragons, still uses lessons learned from youth football in his work ethic today.
"I remember when one of my coaches told me 'if you're sitting around the house and not doing anything, there's somebody out there getting better than you,'" said Moss. "So when I was younger and even now, it always makes me want to get up and do something."
Moss also stressed the importance of kids staying active and using youth football as a sanctuary and something that keeps them out of trouble, which is something he can relate to.
"I think for one, parents should encourage their kids to play football if that's what they want to do because for one, it's going to keep them out of trouble. That was a big thing for me. I know that's what my mom wanted me to do," said Moss. "It definitely keeps you from getting in trouble because you have football that gives you something to do and something to think about."
"Another thing is that child obesity levels are going up, so playing football, or any sport for that matter helps keep kids active and will help them grow up much healthier," Moss added.
Coach Brown explained how important it is for kids to get involved in football because there are life lessons that come from playing football or any team sport as a child.
"A lot of times it teaches kids how to work together and gives them a basis for what life is going to throw at them," said Brown.
Coach Brown went on to explain the various life lessons children can learn by playing football, not unlike Moss's comments about teaching children to be active and lead healthier lives.
"I would say that one of the biggest things about youth football is it brings that camaraderie teaches kids to get along with each other," said Brown. "Your teammates might be from four different backgrounds, but you learn to work together for a common goal. That's what youth sports do."
Billy Parker recalls looking up to professionals like Doug Williams who was the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Parker wore #17 in honor of Williams and for another favorite quarterback, Charlie Ward at Florida State. Parker learned the game at the youth level, and for him it was a matter of passing the experiences he had growing up with football on to other kids learning the game.
"I think youth football teaches kids fundamental things like never giving up, finishing things to the end, teamwork, working with others and how to get along with different personalities," said Parker. "It also teaches kids about authority. It teaches you that it's not always about you, and that there is a bigger picture, especially with football being the ultimate team sport."
Coach Brown's oldest son is now 18 and played football from middle school through high school. His youngest son is two years old, and Coach looks forward to seeing him on the football field soon.
"He'll start playing by the time he's about five. Like I said, I think it's great for the kids," said Brown. "I even remember my youth football days. I played out in Glen Cove from about five to nine years old, and I still remember things I learned out there; probably always will."
We look forward to seeing you at Dragons games during the AFL's Youth Football Month. The Dragons return home on Sunday, May 18th for Kid's Day at the Nassau Coliseum, as the Georgia Force come to town for a key conference match-up. The first 3,000 kids ages 14 and under will receive a Dragons jersey. Tickets are still available! To purchase yours today, call 1-866-AFL-TIXX or send an email to ticketinfo@newyorkdragons.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 12, 2008
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
