4 Hard Downs: Hardest Positions, What Makes A Best Uniform, Meeting A Principal
Had a disagreement with my dad, did a show and we're a part of the school community
I love being back at home. I love my friends, new and old, and my family (obviously) and getting to see them all the time is dope as hell. We also interact so much, which I enjoy because whether it is instagram or texts or in person we really do have an established rapport.
So my dad threw me a curveball, something I’ve never been able to hit, you know what let’s just SPOT THE BALL!!!
1st Down: I Do Not Think QB Is The Most Difficult Position
My dad does think QB is the most difficult position in sports. Which is coming off the back of this video:
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I do not.
I do not even know that it is the most specialized position because kicking and punting are so focused.
I know it is the most important position, which is why having one is so important, because the continuity matters and building a culture matters but difficulty, I can’t get on board with. They’re the most protected position, so they don’t have to worry about someone actually destroying them.
They’re the most mollycoddled position as well.
Ask a defensive tackle if his coach has every asked about his feelings. Ask an offensive guard if his coach cares what he thinks about the play call.
Doesn’t happen.
The idea of “we have to know everything and it is so hard for us” is a lot more of, “let’s make sure these monsters power the machine and the driver knows which cog to call on in a given moment.”
Which is why I do love defense.
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We trust each other. We will help each other get lined up. We will talk. No, not will, we have to. And that means talk to, not talk at. We share ideas. We compensate without compromising (slicing or cheating so the other guy can do what he is better at but not hurt the scheme itself).
2nd Down: Traditional vs Alternates & Newcomers
Did a show for Bleacher Report about uniforms and honestly, it might have been the best chat ever, aside the person “yelling” HOUSTON nonstop.
what do you like in uniforms?
Personally, I know I’m scarred from playing at UNC and not being able to do any alternates during my time. Our head coach did not allow it and took away the black and navy from the jerseys. Our shit was plain as hell. We had the fire drip dri-fit long sleeves that Tebow and Reggie Bush both wore and he was like, absolutely not.
Basically what I’m saying is the drippier the better because we never got to that drip while I was there. Then they get navy. They get black. They get argyle.
Good lord.
3rd Down: I Met A Principal 1-on-1
And guess what, I wasn’t even scared.
In my lifetime, going to the principal’s office meant I was some serious trouble that my parents were going to deal with immediately. There was no, “are you sure Michael did this?” or “can we find a solution where he doesn’t get in that much trouble?”
It was mostly just, “oh our did that shit and you prescribe detention or Saturday school but he will also be in trouble at home.”
So, this was my first time in a principal’s office where it was amicable, no fear, she wanted my feedback as a part of the school community and we had a genuine conversation, not giving me a talking to for what I did wrong.
Obviously, I’m almost 40, hell, probably might be older than her.
We talked a lot about diversity.
-Socioeconomic Diversity and Disparity
-Racial Diversity
-Gender Diversity
We also talked about the diversity or, better stated, the willingness to be available and how diverse and disparate that is for families. Some families have an all in mentality. Others pick their spots. Others truly can’t do it. Others have ONE parent (the mom) who always shows up.
She’s super committed to having people be involved, she wants to get more folks of color in positions but it isn’t pushing anyone out it is about building a coalition.
In a tight few words; the most positive experience I’ve ever had in a principal’s office.
4th Down: 100 Pounds
Today, Wednesday July 10th, I’ve officially lost 100 lbs.
It is not a brag.
It is not, “I worked so hard to do this.”
I’m not David Goggins.
It isn’t holding it over anyone’s head.
It just happened.
I’m going to do a bigger post on the 14th of July because that is the day that resonates with me making a decision.
Please don’t say “Congrats” or “Good Job” because it just happened. My main part of this is just if you try, you can do anything and that’s what that 14th post will be; I just wanted to be honest. My mother-in-law got here today and she goes, “you’re so skinny” and my goal was never about how I looked. It was about making sure I could play with my kid and run around and be a little rascal.
Cheers!!!
Kind of thought that Peyton Manning, you and your dad all went too far. It seems that Peyton has never been to a professional hockey and couldn’t see that being an NHL goaltender might be every bit as challenging and pressure filled as a NFL QB. Your dad went too far in calling the QB the coach on the field. Yeah sure Kenny Stabler or Terry Bradshaw called their own plays but today’s all the plays are signaled in. The coach on the field doesn’t exist anymore. Where I thought you were right is the today’s safety, defensive end or line backer really needs to know what every player in the system is doing. Where I think the QB is more challenging is there is substantially greater scrutiny so when you make a mistake everyone in the stadium sees it. I do think the reads and progressions and then making a good throw with proper footwork and mechanics for is tougher than say a corner and what they do. Of course, this is a subjective take and I could easily be wrong.
Last, you totally let down the Special Ed teacher. They have 1/3 of the students but substantially more paperwork and more challenging students than the general education teachers. As a result, SpecEd teachers have higher turnover and are harder to replace. So it might make sense to pay them at a higher grade. In the end, you might have a more efficient grade school..
Tough shit on the 4th down and not wanting accolades. You saw a problem (potential long-term health issues and being there for your family/kid) and solved the problem (shed a straw weight fighter). That's coaching and good coaching deserves credit.