The heat is on the game of football these days. Reports on the rise of concussions and health-related issues due to injuries occurred during professional and collegiate careers have everyone’s antenna up. Media coverage of the game is at an all-time high as television ratings dip lower than they have ever been. The violence and physicality of football can turn a lot of fans and parents of players off. For others, there’s a simplistic beauty to the camaraderie that comes with being on a team with dozens of boys and men that will be in the fight with you. From the outside looking in, the game of football may be a danger most people don’t feel is necessary for high school and middle school students to take. For those who are involved in the game as coaches, players, former players, journalist, volunteers, etc., it’s everything. “Football taught me many of the values I’ve carried into my career and personal life,” says Fox Sports 1 personality, ‘Speak For Yourself’ co-host and former Ball State University offensive lineman Jason Whitlock. “Football was also my path to education and moving up the economic ladder. Without football, it’s unlikely I go to college and it’s even less likely that I would’ve finished college.” Football has become more of a pathway for both black and white, foreign and homegrown, the athletically gifted and the determined. Football is a way of life.
“I couldn’t imagine life without it,” says Veterans head football coach David Bruce, who played at what is now the University of West Georgia. “The game has always been with me, the physical part of the game, the team, the togetherness. All of my best friends in life have come from football.” The game of football is as far from a “game” as any other passion that people put their hearts and souls into. “Football means the world to me,” says Northside High School senior offensive lineman. “The game has taught me so much and has done some great things for me. I really don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have it.”
On the high school level, football can become the family a lot of boys (and in certain cases girls) don’t have or be the extended family and support system they need as they navigate young adulthood.”The team has become my brothers,” says Houston County High school junior receiver Tyler Fromm. “I’ve gotten close to a lot of them,” says the twin brother and younger brother of two Houston County players. “Football showed me how to be a man,” says Northside senior linebacker Kam Burnett. “It’s not easy playing the game with it’s ups and downs but it’s taught me a lot about life.” Former Houston County and current Mississippi Delta Community College freshman starting defensive end Rontravious Byron credits the game of football for more than most, “Football is my life,” he says via text. “It has given me life lessons and required me to dedicate myself to the game and everything I do.” Byron has dreams of playing at a Division I school and furthering his education, thus expanding his post-graduate options and career choices, “Without football in my life I wouldn’t be the man I am today.” The intangibles that come along with the game of football can’t be measured by statistics and singular incidents. It’s much more important than that, especially to men that have been crafted their livelihoods with it.
Warner Robins head football coach MIke Chastain has been involved with football his entire life, “My whole life,” says the coach in his first year with the Demons. “From watching my brothers play to me going on and playing in high school and college. The game has always been a passion of mine.” Perry head football coach Carl Dixon, “Walking out onto that field on a Friday never changes,” he says. “Football, to me, is a way of life. It’s a way of life for my family, it’s never been a job.” Dixon, who ran track in college, “My school didn’t have a football team,” has had coaching football on his mind since he was a youngster. “That’s all I ever wanted to do. Football is all I ever known since I was in the fifth grade,” he says. Many others have taken their passion for the game into their professional lives. A orthopedic surgeon in Houston, Texas, Dr. Michael S. George played in high school and college and remains involved in the game as a team doctor. “As a player I felt football helped me become part of a team,” says George. “As a doctor taking care of athletes and being in a leadership position within the community, I feel like I use the leadership skills and work ethic that I learned in football to help patients achieve their goals.”
The game of football crosses all racial and financial borders, it surpasses all regional and religious sectors. If you put in the work and play as a team, you will ultimately succeed more often than not. In football, If you don’t, you won’t win a thing. No one man can win a football game, the game is too complex for that. Michael Jordan and before him Magic Johnson and Larry Bird single-handedly, at times, dragged their respective teams to victory. Barry Sanders is in the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio but he’s also only been a part of one playoff victory despite being arguably the single toughest man to tackle in the history of the sport. No man an island. “Football taught me how to get along with people who had different backgrounds and different perspectives than mine,” says Whitlock. “We had to put our differences aside to achieve a team goal.” Westfield head football coach Jamey Watson says, “The game teaches you hard work, discipline and that being a part of a team and working towards a group effect is fulfilling.”
Whether it’s teamwork or discipline, creativity or self-worth, football, which was first played in New Jersey between Princeton and Rutgers in 1869, has a hold on many Americans. Despite the negative attention that individuals may bring to the game due to domestic violence incidents, criminal activity involving drugs or drinking or suspensions for rule infractions, the game on the field has never been more popular or populated. Over 1 million boys play high school football in the United States. Over 70,000 are playing college football. “It’s always been something that I loved the most,” says Veterans senior running back Amarrian Brown. “It means a lot to me and if it wasn’t for football I wouldn’t really know what to do. The game has taught me many lessons.” Fellow senior and teammate Kaiman Smith says, “For some reason I just feel at peace when I’m playing football. Football just makes me happy.” Houston County senior defensive back Andrew Brown echoes those sentiments, “It means a lot being out there with my brothers,” says the highly regarded corner. “The game is something I enjoy and won’t ever forget.”
In Georgia, just like in Texas, Alabama, California and New Jersey to name a few football-crazy enclaves, the sport of football brings communities together. The game sits the banker next to the carpenter, both men hoping the home team doesn’t blow a fourth quarter lead. It means a lot to people. It always has. “Football has always meant a lot but it wasn’t until I started playing for Warner Robins that it truly meant something special,” says Demons junior kicker Eli Mashburn. “God has blessed us with this sport and I’m so thankful for it.” Many others feel they have been blessed the same way. “The game has meant a lot to me,” says Perry senior quarterback Damion Bagley. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs but I’ve always loved the game.” Houston County senior running back Shelton Horton says, “The game means a lot to anybody that plays. It’s about playing with your brothers, working hard together and having a bond to go out there and win as many games as possible.” Jordan Leonard, a senior receiver at Perry says, “Football is a game of trusting the people on your team.”
The importance of football to American culture will never truly be told in words but hopefully it will continue to be told on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons all over this country. At one point in time it was an honor to be a member of your local football team. “The game has made a big impact on my life and I want to help make it have a big impact on others lives as well,” says Chastain. “Football is a main priority in my life,” says Warner Robins senior quarterback Michael Bradley. “I’ve been playing since the second grade.” From 1869 in New Jersey to tonight at The Mac, the game will continue to impact lives. From Perry to Warner Robins, from Northside, Houston County, Veterans, Westfield and everywhere in between, may the game continue to inspire and excite people for the rest of time. Long live football.
HHJ News
