You may not bring out football plates on game day. Or plaster the driveway with Dallas Cowboys paraphernalia—we can’t be the only family that does that. But if you pay any attention to the National Football League, you know the organization has more drama than an episode of “NCIS.”
The NFL is no place for children, you say. But teachable moments pop up everywhere.
Here are just 5 life lessons I’ve found through watching the NFL this season.
We don’t have to exercise all of our rights, be they legitimate or rationalized.
For kids, this may mean restraint when another child takes their snack or steals their turn. They may feel a “right” to retaliate. But an eye-for-an-eye is likely the wrong move. And as any football fan will tell you, the referees always catch the second guy.
Lesson No. 2: Don’t be afraid to stand up for what matters. After the game in which Cassel was injured, Eric Winston, Chiefs right tackle, passionately condemned the cheering fans.
Winston didn’t wait to see what others would say or do. He was not afraid to be loud and stand alone on the matter. For kids, it may mean reporting the bully at school or making friends with the new kid.
Lesson No. 3: Sometimes the cheap comes out expensive. Before the season, the NFL and the referees’ union couldn’t agree on salaries and other benefits. The officials staged a lockout. Replacement referees were called in. The result: game-changing mistakes by replacement refs, negative publicity for the NFL, and an outcry from frustrated coaches, players and fans.
Like the NFL, your child may try to get away cheap. Like buying that 99-cent toy, only to have it break on the ride home. They might have been happier if they saved up and shopped for quality.
Lesson No. 4: What’s done in the dark shall come to the light. And with Twitter, Facebook, and other social media, it comes out at lightning speed. A few NFL examples:
- Veteran receiver allegedly head butts his wife.
- Wide receiver allegedly assaults mother with a baseball cap.
- Team gets various punishments for alleged bounty program—cash payments for injuring opponents.
This is not solely an athlete or celebrity problem. Kids have to know that what they do matters; even if it appears that no one is watching.
Lesson No. 5: Don’t give up, no matter the odds. It’s been a painful season for Dallas Cowboys fans. Given their current record, a playoff run is a long shot. But the boys can’t give up mid season. Neither can our kids. The lesson for us all is simple. The goal may seem impossible, but don’t give up. And never give in.
Well that’s my list. How about you?
What lessons can you pull from the world of professional sports?
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My name is Nicole Robinson. I live in a Dallas suburb with my husband Dave and our daughter Lou. I spend my days as a business professional, freelance writer and blogger. I spend my nights as an imperfect, but striving wife and mother.
My husband would love this!
Thanks for stopping by Hanan.
What a great blog post! And awesome points, I never thought about NFL this way, however, I did realize sports can truly help teach kids important lessons. Thanks for laying it out for us! Loved reading.
Thank you Brandy. Sports can definitely teach kids a lot.
Great tips! I especially like the ‘cheap vs. expensive’ one. I try to teach all my kids that sometimes, waiting for the best, or at least the better option, is far preferable over the fast and easy.
Thanks Dee. That “cheap vs. expensive” lesson was a tough one for me as a kid. I’m glad I understand it now and can pass it on to my children.
I don’t really keep up with football, or sports in general, but this is pretty inspiring. I did see the Eric Winston incident on the news and was very impressed by it.
Hey Jai. I admired Winston’s boldness. Very refreshing.
I think not giving up is a big thing to learn and take to heart.