I sent out a message to our players tonight with one simple question.“Why do you play football?” Our boys want to play & need to play football this year. We will be educated, prepared, and take precautions. However, not playing would mean missing out on these responses. Thread...

In 20 minutes I received these messages with reasons why they choose to play football. Extremely proud of who these young men are. These are the responses:
“I love my teammates.” “It makes me feel good to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

“I learn a lot about myself”. “It’s soooooo much fun”. “The football team is my family”. “I want to be the best I can be, but not just on the field”. “It’s a great feeling to know I am improving myself”. “when things are tough at home, I know I have my boys”.

“I love being with my family and the brotherhood we build at practice”. “Nothing else matters when I’m playing football”. “Coach, you’re like my father”. “It pushes me”. “I know the team believes in me”. “My teammates are like my brothers”

“I chose to play this year because all the bad in the world goes away when I’m on the field”. “I play for my family”. “It helps motivate me to do better in school”. “I want to be really good and maybe earn a scholarship when I’m a senior”

“I play to have fun”. “It’s created bonds that I cherish deeply”. “I play to better my health because it gives me a reason to be my best physically.” “I just love being with my teammates and coaches”. “It makes me a better man”.

“I learn to love my teammates that I would have never known without football”. “It’s not just a sport to me, the coaches have taught me so many valuable lessons”. “It keeps me accountable to hard work”. “I just love to tackle people”. “It’s Hard”. “ONE!”

“Integrity. Trust. Love. Grit”. “There’s more to it than football, it’s about family”. “I wanted to play to try something new and I’ve loved every minute of it so far”. “I want to be the best”. “I love to compete”.

“I play football because it keeps me fit and it’s also fun”. “Offensive line teaches me to be humble and protect the team”. “I play to get stronger, grow closer to my teammates and possibly even make a career out of it”.

“I play football bc I wanted to get better mentally and physically. And I wanted to be a part of a team that is like a family”. “It’s just fun!” “I play because I want to be the best man I can be”. “I like being surrounded by guys who have the same goal.”

“I’ve played football since I was in 4th grade”. “I play for the people who came before me and the ones that are gonna come after”. “I play because it’s more than just football.” “Because I know you love me”. “It’s the sport I enjoy the most”.

“Nothing better than Friday night lights with all of town watching us”. “It’s changed me”. “It’s fun and keeps me focused”. “It’s what I do”. “My teammates and coaches make me want to be a better person”.

It’s not just about football. They want and deserve the opportunity to show up to better themselves, their teammates, and their community. It can be done. #WeWanttoPlay

We will continue to give our best to each other. Be Relentless and embrace Every Opportunity. Be where your feet are.