Modified from an article by Herb Childress in 1998: "Why HS Football Works & Society Doesn't"
1) In football teenagers are considered important contributors rather than passive recipients
2) In football teenagers are encouraged to excel; there is no such thing as "good enough"

3) In football players can let the team down; personal effort is linked to more than personal achievement
4) In football repetition is honorable
5) In football the unexpected happens all the time
6) In football there is a reason to stop; the coach & team quit when they're done

7) In football emotions & human contact are expected; players are supposed to talk to one another while things are going on
8) In football players get to choose & determine their own roles
9) In football the better players teach the less-skilled; either on purpose or by example

10) In football their is a lot of individual instruction & encouragement from their coaches
11) In football ability isn't age-linked; freshmen who excel can play varsity
12) Football is more than the sum of its parts; players blend individual specific skills with their teammates