Excellent! I'm sure you're very proud. And you deserve tremendous credit for that too. Congratulations!
I had a recent experience which was very similar. I attended my sons high school fall sports banquet recently. He won his schools "Mr. Football Award", which recognizes the football player that most demonstrates teamwork, good sportsmanship, integrity, work ethic, attitude, and leadership. I wasn't expecting that. Neither was he. But it surprised no one. His head coach, who is one of the top high school coaches in the state, and whose teams have been to the state playoffs more than a dozen times through the years said this; "In all of my years of coaching, I have never seen a young athlete who is more deserving of this award. I wish our entire team were more like him. For any young man from Pee Wee through Freshman football who wants to know what a high school athlete and football player should be like, act like and play like...there is no greater example than him."
Now, since he was a little dude, he is always the first kid on the practice field and the last to leave. He always sprints from drill to drill. He has more heart and integrity and drive at his age than I ever did. Now most of you know I played football through high school and later D1 in college. I had a chance to play professionally in Canada. But football as a sport was a "part" of me. Being a football player never defined me.
Since my son was very young, I have never pushed or led him into any sport. but on his own he LOVES football. There have been some hard and fast rules that I live by with watching and supporting him in any athletic interest.
1) If you start a sport, you must play until the end of the season. No quitting.
2) I always stand in the same spot -be it soccer, football, basketball, lacrosse, or baseball. That way he can know where to find me in the stands any time he needs me or needs encouragement.
3) Win or lose--the first question I ask him after every game is "Did you have fun?"
4) I have been happy for him, and will congratulate him on wins, team, and individual play...but the words "I'm proud of you" have NEVER crossed my lips when it comes to sport. Instead I'll say "I'm really happy for you." Instead, I shout "I'm proud of you!" from the highest mountain for academic achievement.
But he has always gravitated toward football. Keep in mind that football isn't really that big of a presence from my perspective in our home. You're more likely to see me talking baseball than anything else. In fact, I have coached his baseball teams for the past six years.
But an example of the type of player, athlete, and young man that he has become is this..My son notoriously has ALWAYS been the last kid out of the locker room after games and practices. This went on for years. It was a pain in the ass when you were in the parking lot waiting for him, and watching every other kid get in the car with their parents and go home. This year, I couldn't care less. He's driving now, so I don't have to wait on him anymore. Last year however, after being late to something due to his always being the last kid to leave, I got on him for it pretty hard on the car ride from school. He finally told me that the reason he was always last is because without being prompted by any of the coaches, he waits until everyone leaves and makes sure the locker room isn't too messy so the rest of his teammates don't get into trouble for it if it is.
I have long told my son, no matter the endeavor...integrity matters. I wept like a baby when he won that award.
Its moments like these that make us the proudest as parents. More and more each day, I know that my son is going to be a man with a very strong sense of honor and integrity. Sounds like Bri will be alright when she grows up too. Be proud dad. And let her know it!
I am a strong advocate for an organization called All-Pro Dad. In fact I am very much involved with them at the local level where I live. I encourage Dads everywhere to get involved with this group. As fathers trying to be the best fathers (and husbands) we can be, we need all the help we can get.
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