4 Gracious Gifts of Being a Football Mom

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In partnership with the National Football Foundation’s Football Matters campaign, this post is supported and sponsored, however, the opinions and experiences belong to the writer.

I grew up in Youngstown, the daughter of a huge Brown’s fan. From August to February, our weekends were filled with football. It started on Friday night at the high school stadium, into college football on Saturday and pro football all day on Sunday. Back then, my thoughts were focused on what I was going to wear, which of my friends were going, what boys would be there, and might I end up under the stands with a certain boy.  

When I started at The Ohio State University, I lived in the Stadium Scholarship Dorms my first two years. I went to every game, started to pay attention, and started to really LOVE the game. I was fortunate enough to go to several bowl games, including the elusive Rose Bowl. I got hooked on college football.  

Now football is on EVERY Saturday during the fall in my house.

How I Became a Football Mom

When the obstetrician delivered my son, the first words out of her mouth were, “Whoa, you got yourself an Ohio State linebacker here!” My son came in weighing nine pounds and was a chunky little boy for a few years. But by the time he started playing sports, he was one of the smallest kids on the team.  

My son started playing flag football when he was three, and I instantly became a football mom. Seriously, the cutest thing ever. Three-year-old boys running all over the place, trying to follow directions, catch balls and pull flags. He loved playing football.

Now that he is in middle school, he still plays football.  

There are many gifts associated with being a football mom! 

The Gracious Gifts of Being a Football Mom

Heart Bursting Pride

As a mom, you’re always proud of your kids. But when you witness your child busting his butt and trying so hard at something, your heart bursts with pride.  

When you see your last name on the back of their jersey, your heart bursts with pride.  

When he makes the catch, the touchdown, the block or the tackle, your heart bursts with pride.  

When he helps a fallen player, your heart bursts with pride. 

When he catches the game-winning interception in the second overtime, your heart bursts with pride.  

When he comes to hug or fist bump you after the game, your heart bursts with pride.  

When the coach tells you your son is a good kid (not just an athlete but a good KID), your heart bursts with pride.  

Humbling Humility

On the other side of pride is humility, and it’s an important lesson.  

Webster’s definition of humility: freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.

When he misses the tackle that results in the game-winning touchdown for the other team, you’re deeply humbled.  

When he drops the perfect pass, you’re deeply humbled.  

When he fumbles the ball, you’re deeply humbled.

When he snickers disrespectfully at the referee, you’re deeply humbled.  

When he’s not being the best team player, you’re deeply humbled.  

Eye-Opening Empathy

Along with humility comes empathy.  

When he makes a mistake, you feel his humility and disappointment in every cell of your body.  

When you see his head down, you fight back the tears.  

When he shuffles slowly off the field, you feel the weight on his shoulders.  

In Ohio, fall sports start during the hottest months of the summer. When you see him in full pads and helmet, working his butt off, you feel every drop of sweat.  

When he has to get up at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning for practice, you feel his deep desire to crawl back in bed.  

Unexpected Self-Control 

Learning self-control is an important life lesson to learn and a truly graceful gift.  

When someone in the crowd loudly criticizes your son, you WANT to do all sorts of things. But you don’t. You tell yourself it is time to simmer down, and you try to be the best role model and football mom you can be for your son.  

Next year, my son may or may not want to play football. I will respect his wishes but will gently nudge him to continue on. We all benefit from this experience, and I want to continue to have these gifts in my life! 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Completely agree, mom to 2 football guyz and 2 football grandbabies, Kai n Karter. Super proud mom and grma⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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