My two boys are playing tackle football for the first time this year - They are 9 and 7 years old. Both of them attended a week-long preseason conditioning camp held on the boardwalk/beach in Asbury Park, NJ. The man responsible for organizing the camp was George Conti, my high school football coach that put us through the same very intense sessions 25 years ago. Watching my boys sprinting across the beach through the deep sand brought back some memories that reminded me of the very valuable life lessons that Coach Conti shared with us. The game of football is phenomenal for preparing young men for the game of life. It teaches teamwork, discipline, hard work, perseverance, humility, how to lose, how to win, fearlessness, unity, enthusiasm and so much more. Enthusiasm is a key component to success no matter what the endeavor might be. Enthusiasm makes any task, no matter how difficult or challenging easier to accomplish. Enthusiasm makes you feel as though anything is possible and I happen to believe that to be one of life’s greatest truths - which reminds me of a great quote by Napoleon Hill: What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. So get out there, put a smile on your face, and get excited about what it is that you choose to do!
December 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Great stuff John! Wish I could let my three boys experience that!