I normally don’t write much about my kids, but lately they are providing plenty of stuff that makes me proud and laugh.? The latest comes from my oldest son, Alpha Boy.? I call him that because he wants to be #1 at everything he does.? He IS a over achiever.? With that being said, he is a student/athlete.? He’s 13yrs old and loves playing sports.? His main sports passion is football.? Over the last few years, I’ve worked very closely to develop his skills and mentally prepare him for all the challenges.? This season is going to prove to be one of the most challenging.? His mother moved into a new school district, against my desires .? That means he once again has to prove himself to a new coach, new team, and new school.? The last 2 years, he’s been a starter on offense and defense with 2 different teams.? He has always been a stand out student athlete.? So where’s the problem?
He hates the new school, compared to the previous school.? He didn’t want to move away from his friends.? He didn’t want to play on a team that has a history of losing.? He is living up to his Alpha attitude.? The challenge for me started when he called me after practice to tell me he wasn’t getting any practice time.? He was mad that he was on the side line with the ‘B squad’.? “I’m better than their starting corner backs”? “There’s no way I’d let their receiver score a TD on me”? I listened to those type of statements for 10 minutes.? Finally he said, “the coach didn’t even allow me to try out to be a starter!”
As a proud dad, I wanted to go over and kick some ass!? “Who the hell do they think they are?”? “Do you know what kind of talent you have sitting on the side line?”? “Have you called his previous football coaches?”? “Do you know his cousin is retired from the NFL, and played the same position?”? “Do you realize that his other cousin plays for University of Missouri?”? Those are the words that are running through my head.
The words that came out of my mouth were totally different.? I began to tell him that this was a learning experience for him.? I explained to him how his cousin D was a starter for the Titans at times, but got paid a lot of money to play from the bench.? I also explained to him how Jerry Jones & the Cowboys paid D a shyt load of money to play as a role player and a back up.? I had to tell him that this is a team sport.? Since he didn’t want to play golf or tennis, that he had to trust the coach has the teams best interest in mind.? My next piece of advice was about his attitude towards practice.? I had to tell him that when he got practice time, to put a “earth shattering hit” on the next guy that attempted to make a play on his side of the field.? That’s the best way to catch the attention of the coaches.? Reluctantly, he said OK.
A few days later he called to say, “I’M A STARTER ON THE ‘A TEAM!”? I was excited and gave him my congradulations.? He was excited.? He said that school was a great day.? He was a starter and a girl asked him out.
**STOP THE PRESS**
Me – WHAT? Say that again?? And what did you say?
Alpha Boy – She asked me out and I said yes
Me – yes to what?
Alpha Boy – yes to going out
Me- when and where ya going out?? Who is this girl?? How old is she?
Alpha Boy – I don’t know.. a girl from school.. same grade as me
Me – hmmmm.. ok.? what did mom say?
Alpha Boy – nothing.. I haven’t told her yet.
Me – hmmmm ok.. that’s cool.? we’ll talk about this over the weekend.
Alpha Boy – ok.. that’s why I wanted to tell you 1st.
A couple days later he calls to inform me that he talked the coach into moving him to the “B Team”, because the “A team” sucks.? He says he would rather play on a winning B team than a losing A team.? I’m OK with his thinking.? He wants to play and win.
All of this raises some real issues for me.? The main issue is that boys need their dad in their life for guidance, instruction and wisdom.? I don’t understand how some black fathers sperm donors leave their children behind.? That has always amazed me.? The second is, Damn these girls love athletes.? They start out younger and younger every year.? So once again, I get to guide my son past any and all distractions.? I know he’s going to become interested in girls soon enough.? I’ve always told him to keep his priorities.? Stay focused on good grades, going to college and sometimes sports give you the best chance for a scholarship.? The last thing I want is to become a grandpa before he gets his college education.
I noticed girls at his age, but I didn’t want a girl friend until my last year of high school. (17)? So I wonder, how old were you when the opposite sex became important to you?? Which parent did you choose to talk to about sex, dating and life choices with?
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