Enliven Daily

“If I miss coaching that much, I could go to some little school where they didn't recruit, where all the kids wanted to go. I believe I could find somewhere to coach.”

I love sports and am active in youth sports (those familiar with this space just said to themselves, “no shat, Sherlock!”).  Now that my children are getting older (ages 12 & 10), I am watching and learning more about high school sports and the pressures that everyone associated with them is facing.  Growing up, my friends and I wanted to be like Michael Jordan, Bobby Orr or Joe Montana based on how great they were at their game.  Athletes back then were famous but not necessarily celebrities.  These days, we have Lebron and Kobe coming out of high school not old enough to have a beer and barely old enough to vote and they are instant millionaires and celebrities.

Times are different I get that but when I read the attached story, it just felt creepy.  (Click Here) to see what I mean and I wish I could say it shocked me but it didn’t?  The reason is due to the coach that is the driving force behind all this.  Check it out and then come back to finish this entry.

This kid is just about the same age as my oldest son Trevor.  They are growing up in different worlds and I would not have them trade places for anything.  I do not know the Sills family and I am not making any judgment on any of them.  I have seen how local athletes are treated in small towns as well as big cities and the impact it has on those around them.  The social status of being a local star athlete is a huge ego boost not only for the kid, but for the parent(s).  Factor in the dream of a kid becoming the next Lebron, Tom Brady or Sidney Crosby and imaginations can run wild.  But for every wonder-kid like Lebron that we may now know, there are plenty of Todd Marinovich’s. Just Google his name and there are plenty of stories about where Marinovich started, where he is now and all the in between.  And don’t even get me started on Tiger Woods who was on the Merv Griffin show at age 4.

As much as I have a passion for sports, I do not push it on my sons.  I allow them to choose what they want to do but I do encourage them to finish what they start (the season) and always giving their best effort.  I have no aspirations of them going pro and just want them to have a blast being a kid.  I do not need to relive my own childhood through them as mine was awesome and I did not miss out on much athletically or socially.  I had not heard of David Sills before this article and have no doubt he is the top 7^th grade quarterback in the country right now as like George Carlin taught us, it’s a numbers game, somewhere out there is the best in all jobs or roles (and the worst). 

I hope this all turns out well for this kid who will grow up very fast.  But when you look at the track record and trail Lane Kiffin leaves behind, do you wonder why this story creeps me out?   If you had a Choice for your kid to play for a coach, would it be Kiffin or Bear Bryant, who gave us our opening quote?