Presidents Message
Take Responsibility
8/19/01
In my duties as President of American Youth Football,
I am invited to speak to various youth organizations. On these occasions I
am always asked this question, "What one thing do you think we need to teach
our kids?" My answer, "Responsibility," always raises eyebrows.
In our society today, role models (pop stars, pro
athletes, and politicians) blame their mistakes on others. Our youth do not
meet expectations. Our youth fitness level is at an all-time low. Parents
blame the schools. Schools blame the parents for allowing fast food
consumption, substance abuse, and hours spent with
TV and video games. The media blames everyone: latchkey kids, "McParents,"
disinterested teachers, and lack of government funds.
Youth suicide and violence are common place. Here the
finger pointing is even worse. Teachers, lawyers and judges all play the
"Blame Game." Criminals are not responsible for their actions because???
Responsibility is an ORPHAN!
At a local football game I saw a friend who coaches
Junior High football. "Hey Chuck, how is your team?" The response stunned
me. "We dropped football this year," he said, never looking up. He went on
to tell me the all-too-familiar story of budget cuts. In the 60's "Tiger"
Ellison (of run-and-shoot fame) had the public address announcer say, "This
game is dedicated to our country and the fine youngsters playing the game
tonight. This is not a classroom. They may get some bark scraped off their
nose, but they are learning the value of courage, confidence and teamwork.
Welcome to America's Leadership Laboratory."
Just think about this; It costs more to send a kid to
jail than to Yale. Our kids are being poisoned. Yes, poisoned! Physically
and mentally, and what are we doing about it?
I have a friend named Ron Blackledge (father of
Sportscaster Todd Blackledge). Ron's High School alma mater gave up the
sport of football. Ron didn't take the news lightly. Ron took on the
responsibility. He immediately set up a series of meetings with parents,
politicians and media. "Football had been good to the players from this
industrial town." Ron pointed out the large numbers of community
professionals who formed their values while participating in football. Ron
had researched the facts. The media wrote about the character building
quality of football. The community became aware of the pending loss. Calls
were made. Civic pride swelled. You guessed it! Football was reinstated.
Every one of us is responsible. We need to be more
active. Our sport is under siege. We have enemies outside and sadly inside
the sport. We cannot allow felons to dominate the thoughts of our school
boards, elected representatives, and media. We must not allow the decay to
continue. Let's all of us take the responsibility to alert America. The face
of football is NOT "Beer, Brawls and Betting!"
THE TRUE FACE OF FOOTBALL IS THE MILLIONS OF
KIDS AND VOLUNTEERS!
Proud to be your President,
Joe Galat
Check out these past President's Messages articles:
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