Two Minute Warning

I'll be shutting this down soon.  After the CCS run. I anticipate 2 or 3 more posts.
Before I do I want to say thank you.

I'm still not sure why I started this, or what compelled me to write about this team, or season.  It was just clear I had to.  There is no rhyme or reason to a lot of what shapes the world, or who is granted a position of influence.  It's obvious, however, that certain people, or groups, attract attention through their ability to achieve what's been historically difficult, and do so in a manner that's inclusive of their audience.  

• It's the difference between Tom Cruise and every other 18 year-old of his generation as they graduate high school, and he rockets to stardom.  
• It's the difference between every wholesome, beautiful news reporter holding a microphone, and Katie Couric. 
•  It's the difference between every burnt out teacher and Christa McCauliffe just before we watch the space shuttle she's in explode.  Some lives are selected to teach, or provide example.  

The freshman football team of 2013, or specific individuals on it, seem to be on that path.

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When this began I had no plans to share it.  Then I decided to share it with the boys on the team.  No one else.  As I near the end, and my final words, this blog's been looked at almost 3,000 times.  I know the 45 adolescent boys who inspired it aren't interested in my observations of them.  So this blog has found an audience.  It's found an audience of anonymous readers.  

I have sought connection my entire life, and have failed to find it.  I've failed because I've been afraid to be honest.  I've had company, and acquaintance, when I've agreed to avoid being honest, and I've agreed to that to insure the comfort of others.  I've agreed to it to insure a place of belonging.  I've agreed to it because it was safe.  Watching this group of boys challenged my compromises.  Curbing my passion was the biggest.

  Life is so beautiful it hurts.

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When Scott Russo asked me to help coach we barely knew each other.  I told him I would, as long as he understood "I'd never play to win".  I'd put the kids first.  I'll never forget his answer.  He said,

"That's exactly why I want you".

Scott Russo was the first Man who gave me permission to become the man I wanted.  He gave me permission to explore the aspects within me that went against what our culture traditionally valued in it's Fathers, and Husbands, and Hero's.  He gave me permission to heal.

Scott Russo is a good football coach.      He's a great man.        He leads with a perfect combination of Drill Instructor, and Mr. Rogers.  He leads you, and loves you, at once.  He also admits to needing help, and selects individuals who he trusts to provide it.  The success of our freshman program isn't due to a single person, it's due to a perfect compilation of a group of individuals.  Scott assembled his staff to fill in the vacancies of others, compliment what he values, stand against what he abhors, and always Love first.  He is the first to acknowledge when he acts out of character, and he's the first to request an end to it.  He did that frequently this year, while he found the balance this group required.  He found a way to redirect talent, and mend sensitive ego's, into a unified objective, and general respect.  That's not easy, ever.

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My last few posts have been read by 350 individuals.  Each post has been met with a spike in readership.  That's a remarkable thing.  

I don't know who you are, but your interest in what I observe validated what I love inside me.  You told me, in an indirect way, that what I've protected, holds value.  If you read my words, you told me you could see past the frightened man I AM in the world, and into the truth of my original heart.  You told me what it contains is welcome.  

I don't need to hide what I'm most proud of  because you confirmed it in you.  That's a gift.  And I received it from strangers.  That's the best part.  One lady, who I don't know, sent me an email that said,  "I hope you keep writing, and that you keep me informed about where to find it.  You speak everything I feel.  PLEASE write a book." 

That's the connection I've sought.  That's the exposure.  I'm not the long hair, or the smile, or the fear, or the failure.  I'm the part that wants to be known, the part that sees a miracle in every life, and courage in every heart.  

I'm just a dude, trying to live his truth, before it's lost.  Thank you for letting me........