I've typed and deleted numerous times this post, all in the attempt to share the many thoughts running through my mind. At this point I do not feel I'm ready to put into words what I have to say. However, I found this poem and feel it expresses the many thoughts running through the heads of many students, players, parents, and fans right now. Sometimes one well written piece can better address what needs to be stated better than any article, blog, or story.
Hey
Coach—
Hey
Coach--You see that player on the sidelines with the clean uniform?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player whose grandparents drove from out of town to see him
play?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who isn’t a naturally gifted athlete but who loves
the game of football?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who walks into an empty house every night after
practice because his single mom works the 2nd shift?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who saved all of his lawn-mowing money from last
summer to buy those cleats on his feet?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player whose little brother is sitting in the stands to
watch the big brother he idolizes play football?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player you yelled at during practice who works at a
part-time job every evening because his dad lost his job.
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who dreams from the sidelines each week about
getting the chance to make one big play?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player whose mom sits in the stands every game with her
camera on her lap in case her son gets on the field?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who is going to join the army in a year to defend
this country when he turns 18?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player whose mother was just diagnosed with cancer?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that player who left the locker room after the game in tears
because he didn’t get in for even one play?
He
would like to get in the game, too.
Hey
Coach--You see that kid in the stands who isn’t playing football his Senior
Year?
He
would have liked to get in the game, too.
