Youth football is much more than a game — it unites people, promotes pride within the community and builds extended family. It is a movement that not only looks to teach lifelong lessons, such as teamwork, leadership, responsibility and perseverance, it also teaches the value of sacrifice and discipline while adding the benefit of physical activity.
The social, emotional, mental and physical benefits of youth football far outweigh any potential minimal risk of injury during play. Being part of youth football is meaningful in many ways. Youth football is made up of selfless volunteers who give of themselves to be a teacher, mentor and role model to instill confidence, self-discipline and teamwork to shape our youth.
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Youth football increases self-esteem and lowers the levels of depression by allowing children to have an outlet from daily rigors. Not to mention the friendships and bonds which tie these youngsters for the rest of their lives.
Youth football programs promote education by providing academic scholarships to players, and instilling the idea of maintaining good grades in order to continue participation and/or play. Many programs, including our own conference, hold an annual Scholars Banquet to recognize academic scholars and award thousands of dollars annually to recipients. Recipients include middle school students who have maintained a 3.8 GPA, graduating eighth-graders who are required to write an essay on the positive impacts they have made to their community and also previous participants who are now in college continuing the same community work. Tony Jefferson of the Baltimore Ravens and Chris Olave of Ohio State University, former local youth football participants, were guest speakers at a recent event.
Youth football serves as a sport that crosses racial and socioeconomic barriers. We have witnessed firsthand how the sport has brought students together, unifying those from more affluent neighborhoods to play with others from less affluent groups and vice versa, players witnessing each other’s individual struggles.
Just 12 months ago, we were in the midst of fighting a battle for the continuation of youth football. Legislation was proposed by our own Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego, and Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, to ban youth football. The bill was killed prior to being heard in committee. This itself shows the significant support for our youth program and the significant strength within our numbers, the ability to assemble and come together and unite as a community for the greater good of our children.
We are monitoring and cautiously tracking the same type of ban proposed in other states such as New Jersey, New York and Illinois. Youth football does appear to be the low-hanging fruit. It’s an easy target with less financial backing than the NFL, which has its own NFL Flag Football program to promote over community youth programs, such as our own. Our tackle program teaches fundamentals, develops balance, leverage and coordination skills, encourages physicality, improves determination and provides a mental aspect of stepping up to challenges. Flag football, on the other hand, is tailored to teach fundamentals but could never provide the camaraderie and life lessons that tackle can provide due to the differences in time commitment. One thing football has taught us is we are determined to fight by putting in the best defense possible to win this game for our kids.
Recently, a member of our local football family fell to senseless violence. A dedicated father of two who looked for something better for his kids was fatally shot in late December. The community outpouring was amazing. Groups donated money and sought to support the family during this difficult time. This is what football is about. Coming together during a difficult time to make sure our fellow man is taken care of. This is what we teach, this is what we preach. We’ve had families experience loss due to illness and cancer and other tragedies. This is bigger than our program. This is about building a better community where our children understand there is more to life than video games and what is posted on social media. It’s about what true family means.
The success of our program is not merely about season wins and how a team can make it to a championship game. It is about the experience. This past season we were lucky enough to send our defending champion 14 and under all-star football team, comprised of players from throughout San Diego County, a 10 and under Balboa Raiders team, and a 9 and under Los Toros team to compete in a weeklong tournament in Kissimmee, Florida. This experience gives the children a sense that there is more to the world and life than just local experiences. Many children have never flown on a plane, let alone been to another state or traveled for the purpose of playing in a tournament. I’m pleased to report we returned victorious with two national championship teams.
We work daily to teach life lessons to children to help breed a society of respectful, dedicated, hard-working leaders who will be our future. Few sports prepare young men and women for life the way youth football does.
Luna is San Diego Youth Football & Cheer commissioner.
