why?

I was watching Nico’s football game the other night and I wandered over to the concession stand to get a cup of coffee. It was getting colder that night but I found out that apparently since it’s a middle school game they don’t sell coffee or any other hot drinks. That’s what I was told by the young woman at the window. She said there is no coffee because they can’t get other adults to help out.

I was contemplating the logic of that response when my attention was diverted to the sideline of the other team.

Their coach erupted on one of his players and then slapped the kid’s helmet telling him to get his head into the game. I remember him saying their team was down 30 – 0 and the kid needed to focus on the game. His team mates slowly moved away from him, as did the coach. I thought poor kid, wonder what he had said or done to earn the slap. For awhile he stood by himself.

Maybe that’s what coaches do.

I wondered what would his parents say? Were they even there?

Why?
This was a middle school game. Sixth and Seventh graders. I guess I don’t get it.

I don’t think I could be a coach. I’m not piling on either. I don’t like to “follow” what’s in the news, etc. and then write about it. In the wake of all the NFL players charged, accused or convicted of physical abuse, I’m not saying this was another example.

I don’t know what set the coach off. Maybe the kid said something horrible. Or maybe he was being…a kid.

When I was a kid I tried out for my school’s team. I wasn’t destined for athletic greatness.
I missed a couple of practices, out sick or something. When I did return to practice I went to my locker and all my equipment was taken away. The locker was empty.

So I did what I thought kids my age did. I cursed. Out loud.

And just like that, one of the coaches confronted me and took me to another room and smacked me around. In front of another coach. “Didn’t I know any better than to use “that type of language at a Catholic School?” he shouted.
He even asked me if I wanted to hit him. I did but this guy was twice my size so I said no.

I was a kid and the coach was an adult. With at least 10-15 years and 100 lbs on me.

And so I quit the team. I didn’t have my equipment. I didn’t like the coach. And that was that. I knew I should not have shouted out those words but I was 14. I don’t think I had any lasting thoughts or feelings about what happened either. It was a convenient excuse to get off the team.

But I did know I shouldn’t have said anything and should have handled things differently.
I was a kid. And a smart ass. And I was wrong.

I’m thinking about that kid. At Nico’s game. He did get in the game. Lined up against Nico too.

He seemed OK. I kept watching for him. He made a few plays.

But for me, the question is still there.

Why?

Why as adults do we feel the need to do things like that…
to kids?
to anyone?
Why?

JT

What’s going on?
Check the vid link below..

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