A Football Mom’s Experience with the Game

DISCLAIMER: Future For Football is an initiative of the National Football Foundation, created to highlight the lessons and values that football imparts. Get involved and sign up to play today by visiting Future for Football for resources, a League Locator tool, and much more. 

Within all the hats I use as a mom, I never thought that becoming a football mom would be one that I would be adding to my collection. However, when the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t think twice. I quickly became an advocate for the football moms’ community. 

I’m grateful that I signed up my son at the age of 4 to play flag football at one of Future for Football’s leagues. I’ve both learned and experienced so much positivity as a football mom. As a family, we have made friendships that have brought us love and support throughout the seasons. Not to mention, the football memories we’ve made both on and off the field. Most importantly though, my son has been able to learn about his strength and mind, his individuality, and how to persevere.

LEARNING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FOOTBALL 

Sports teach children how to face challenges, become leaders, and feel empowered. When I started searching for the right sport for my son Liam to join, I wanted to make sure that he would develop and grow as an individual, while also loving the team sport he was playing. When we found the flag football league at MLO (Miami Lakes Optimist), I knew that I found the sport that would give him the tools to use for his development. At home, we are raising Liam to be a respectful and compassionate young man. Football has raised him to be confident and determined. 

NURTURING AND SUPPORTING DETERMINATION

Liam, now 15 years old and a sophomore in high school, has played football for more than fifteen seasons. He used to play as a center and quarterback. Although he learned from those positions, he was determined to play on the defensive side of the game. He believed that he would, and as a mom, I supported his goals. It gave me so much pride to watch him work his way for the opportunity to play in the position that he felt passionate about. That’s part of being a mom – supporting our kids through the challenges. Cheering our kids on as they chase their passions and goals. As I always tell my son, “As your mom, I’m here to follow your heart in football and in life.”

TRANSITIONING AND GROWING 

Flag football seasons were always so much fun. It was a production with tents, coolers, and creating memories that will last forever in our hearts. At the age of 10, he transitioned to playing tackle football at a recreational park in Hialeah, which also included the production of the tents and the coolers. In transitioning to tackle football, I instantly noticed maturity in him. This part of the journey taught him about his own strength and he learned the sport through strategy. In learning strategy, Liam has been able to use his strengths over weaknesses. That is growth.  

Sometimes the game gives us moments of defeat because, well, that is just the way the game goes. But the whole experience overshadows the losses. Those seasons of flag football and what my son learned prepared him to be a contributing student-athlete at Monsignor Edward Pace High School. He now plays football under the direction of Dean of Students and Head Coach Anthony Walker. As a football mom to a sophomore student-athlete and with the experience I have of involvement with the football community, I will vouch that football has so far to date provided me and my family with a treasure box of unforgettable memories, friendships that will last a lifetime, and tools to conquer life.

MOMS FOR FUTURE FOR FOOTBALL

While we need all the energy possible on the sidelines, we also need resources to educate ourselves with tips on how to support our both our children and coaches through the sport. Visit Future for Football for resources such as a league locator to find flag football leagues and tackle contact football leagues. Some of the other resources that Future for Football offers are tips on how to build confidence in your child, Tips for Coaches and Tips for Players.