Sometimes, caring for your child with special needs means you can’t spend as much time with your other children as you wish. Guest blogger Scott Newport knows how you feel. He says, “With all the special needs Evan endured I occasionally found myself neglecting Noah. Penni always reminded me to take time with him too.” With that in mind, Scott shares this sweet story about Noah. Enjoy!
Never Give Up!
I have really come to love the excitement of a weekend football game here in Michigan. Our family has been involved with our community’s youth football program for the last six years. The Royal Oak Chiefs team has not only given our son Noah something in which he can be proud of, it has allowed our household to be part of a bigger family.
Since Noah will be attending Royal Oak high school in about three years, I thought I should check out their football program. Recently, I attended three home games.
Friday Night Lights
Entering the tall gates of the Raven’s stadium on a Friday night was a thrill. The September weather was perfect and the lighted entrance was overrun with fans of all ages. Before I made it over to the fence surrounding the grassy field, I could almost imagine Noah’s number being rattled from the loud speakers for a solo tackle, “Number thirty-nine on the tackle.”
Unfortunately the next thing I saw was the giant lit scoreboard at the far end of the field. Our team was losing. A few minutes later, the visiting team scored again.
Shocked and set back on my heels, I abruptly shouted to a man walking past on the sidelines. “Hey buddy, what’s going on? Is it coaching or a personnel thing?”
Ignoring my question, the middle-aged gentlemen wearing a black polo shirt glared at me and walked away.
As I glanced around I noticed other guys leaning on the fence. Obviously dads too, they gave me a look like, “Is this your first time here, buddy?”
By the third game, the scenario was the same as the first. The scoreboard was just a nightmare pulsing at me from the far end of the field. The only thing different was the cooler weather.
Pint-Sized Players
After witnessing a third loss, I corralled Noah and one of his other Chiefs buddies. It was easy to spot them under the stands because both had their brilliant red and yellow game jerseys on.
As we walked past the concession stand and through the gate, the boys challenged me to a footrace back to my Ford work van. I immediately got disoriented and couldn’t find the grass isle where I’d parked. Both boys had no problem and I had to concede the loss.
After our footrace back to the van, I couldn’t help but think back to the games Noah had played this year. With his season about three quarters over, they had only managed to get one win. But for some reason the losses didn’t seem to frustrate me. You see, Noah has made a huge improvement this year and has really become a leader. He plays on the offensive line and is the head-hunting middle line backer on defense.
Not only am I proud of him, I’m also proud of the whole team and the dedicated coaches. I don’t think one kid has dropped out and the roster is the biggest I have ever seen.
The Best Thing about the Game
Just last week, I went up to the head coach and before I could even say anything, he said, “I really don’t mind the losing, the most important thing is the kids learn something about life.”
After hearing his words, I decided the thing that excites me most about the Chiefs program is its dedication for excellence and commitment to our community. With weekly fundraisers at local businesses and the abundant turnout of rowdy fans on game days, the cohesiveness of the program flourishes. And, yes, there have been a couple of years where Noah’s squad has made it to the Super Bowl.
Well, I’m not sure about the Royal Oak Ravens program, but I hope when Noah gets there in three years it will be something we’re used to: The tradition of striving for excellence and community cohesiveness.
But maybe more than anything, the Raven program will have the same determination Noah and his team have. Just before his game on Sunday I asked my boy, “Noah, what is the best part of being a Chief?” Without hesitation he said, “Dad, the best part is that we never give up.”
He then started to chant the alternating Chief breakdown, “Breakdown! Chiefs! Breakdown! Chiefs! Offense! Block! Defense! Tackle……………”
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