Thursday, December 4, 2008

Is it really worth it

Well tomorrow is the big day. My baby, oh ok I know he's 18, but he's still my baby, has his shoulder surgery. He's been a power lifter for a couple of years and he plays football. To say the least, the child has two bad shoulders, two bad knees, we've been through 3 concussions and a bruised spine. But this is the first time he's actually had to have surgery to repair something. I'm not sure how I feel about this. The anxiety level is definitely there, but I hope all this pain he's been going through and will be going through will teach him he's not invincible. I put the majority of the responsibility on him, because he's the one that did it to himself, but I also blame the coaches. They push these kids so hard and there are consequences if you don't do as they say. He should have had this surgery over a month ago, but the head coach was adamant that he wait until after the football season. So he waited. Is it really worth the punishment the kids go through to have a winning football team. Yes, there is some good that does come with it. My nephew is one of the ones that has benefited greatly from football. He's got a full ride scholarship to a great University and this Sunday he's leaving for Hawaii for the American Bowl. Like I'll ever get to see Hawaii... But, he's had knee and foot surgery already and he's only a senior in high school. I can only imagine what he'll be like with four years of college football debilitating his body. Is it worth a life time of pain for football? Yes, if you make several million dollars a game, but high school football. I think not. Now before all you men get huffy about your football, don't get me wrong. I love football, but I don't like the coaches and training staffs, because I've seen what matters to these coaches and I don't think its the players. It's winning at all costs. It's kind of like a politician. They are all gung ho about war, but what if their child was over in Iraq? Don't tell me that wouldn't play on their conscious when they were making these decisions about whether to leave or stay. Make more money or bite the bullet and stand up for what is right. Damn! the money. But that doesn't happen very often does it? I didn't start this out to be a vent sessions, but oh well... I had to tell someone how I was feeling besides my husband. Let me know what you think... Am I just being a mom and letting my emotions take over, or do you agree with me. What can we do about it? I don't know... I'm just venting at the moment. Have a great night, I'll try to get some sleep... I'll let you know how everything went tomorrow. See ya!

5 comments:

Lori said...

I will be praying for your son tomorrow and that he heals well and quickly. I understand how you feel because I have 2 sons that played sports and both had surgerys for injuries they got while playing football. My youngest had colleges wanting him to come play for them but in the end he chose not to because of his injuries and aches and pains he still has from them.

It's okay for us mom's to vent our worries about things like this...cause we're mom's and worrying comes with the job!

Anonymous said...

presumably you've seen Friday Night Lights...powerful stuff that football...up here it's hockey...same crap different sport...

best wishes for son's surgery and rehab and recovery

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I'm so late getting here. I hope all went well with the surgery. I will keep him (and you) in my prayers. I'm a huge football fan but can't say that I have any experience with dealing with the coaches, etc. Please keep me updated.

qtpie said...

smiles4u: You have a very smart son. They just don't understand how much pain they are going to be in when they get older.

thistlesandmapleleaves: I've watched Friday Night Lights so many times with my boys. One of A1's favorites. I prefer "Remember the Titans".

SMB: Haven't read your blog today, but I saw the title. You sound like me. Other than our Christmas project coming along nicely that's all I've done so far for Christmas...

Stepping said...

I have lived both sides of this, my boys played ball and my husband was a coach. I know that winning is important to coaches but I can honestly say that he never put a player in when he knew they had an injury. Of course, he was a junior high coach and that's a little different from a senior high coach. My boys would play with injuries and then be unable to walk the next day. Hang in there! They will grow up fine. They are good looking boys.