Football Strong

My younger son started playing spring football last week.   Connor was always the athletic one who could’ve been excellent at any sport he applied himself to.  Unfortunately, his confidence got in the way and he didn’t understand you had to work hard if you truly wanted to compete.  The older Connor got, the more he realized he couldn’t just show up and be put on the team, especially when the other kids had been training and practicing.  My younger son, however, has really applied himself and committed the time to football, which he only started playing last summer.  He’s a defensive tackle and has surprised us all with his agility and speed.

Connor was a gym-rat. He’d spend hours at the gym and was extremely built.  He’d walk around flexing his muscles, posing in front of the mirror and eating a boat-load of protein.  He worked hard and it showed.   That said, since birth, his younger brother was always bigger.  I told Connor that, one day, his brother would be bigger than him.  “No Way!” was the response I’d always get. Well, son, it’s happening. 

My younger son was so good at football that they moved him up to varsity and he now has 8th period weight training with the other football players.   He’s really starting to develop and get strong.  Oh, how I wish Connor could see his brother.  It would be so entertaining to watch the dynamic now.

As he starts up with spring ball, it reminds me of how Connor’s fraternity brothers really showed up for him this past fall.  They asked if they could come watch him play a game.  I arranged with the school to cover the brother’s admission cost and they really SHOWED up!  My son was excited to have the support!  The bonus was he got a sack and his name was called over the loud speaker.  

I know Connor was cheering his little brother on from Heaven and was beaming with pride that his fraternity showed up to support him.  But, somehow, I bet he’s still saying there’s no way he’ll ever get stronger than him. ∞