Robservations: Letter gives great reason to play ball
It’s not often I have “sequel” columns, where I go back to a topic I’ve just recently covered.
But last week, I offered a few reasons to play high school football — reasons I hope will inspire a few of those players riding the fence on the subject to join the Pioneers on the gridiron this season.
Over the weekend, an e-mail sent to the office reminded me of one of the most important reasons to play high school football — or any other high school sport, for that matter.
The reason described in the letter was simple: If you’ve got the drive and the determination, it can provide great benefits to you in the long run.
Here is a portion of that letter, which came from a former Pioneer mom.
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Mr. Nunley:
I just read your article on playing football for Warren County Pioneers.
I think I can suggest to you the best reason to play football!!
I am a widow who had four sons — all in football. The middle two boys became outstanding centers for the Pioneers, and as a result one was honored with a four-year scholarship to Tennessee Tech.
Not only did he play football, but the discipline he was taught also showed him how to apply this to his studies. A National Honor Society member, he could also have received an Academic scholarship
Now, both these men are outstanding, successful business men and still remember their days as a Pioneer — When you play with a cracked sternum, or a cracked wrist, you know they were dedicated.
Isn’t an education, maybe even free, (if you discount the hard work and dedication to school and sports is free) worth that? Then, if for no other reason except for the great fun they had while doing it.
Let’s put the PRIDE back in the PIONEERS — show them we may be down, but definitely not out. The Red, White, and Blue are faithful, loyal, and above all Warren County Pioneers!
Thank you,
Mother of three Pioneer football members
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First of all, I’ll thank this writer — not only just for reading this weekly fare, but also for telling a story that might just inspire some of today’s athletes to give their absolute best.
It’s true, there might be an education in it for them. But scholarship or not, there can definitely be a bright future, if for no other reason than the life lessons and discipline they learn on the field of play.
But there was one part of the letter I, unfortunately, have to take exception to: That being the opening reference to your friendly neighborhood sports editor as “Mr. Nunley.” Was it a respectful way to address me? Very much so. Do I deserve it? Not in the least.
Heck, my dad isn’t even “Mr. Nunley.” From now on, feel free to use “Rob.” You might even use one of the terms of endearment so many of the youngsters in this area use to refer to both myself, and to Dale Stubblefield: “That dude from the paper” or “Camera guy.”
On an only slightly related note, I will have to say the above e-mail was, by leaps and bounds, the more intelligent, friendly, and well thought-out of the two messages to the sports department we received last week.
I won’t go into details on the other piece of correspondence, except to say that it was a terse, venomous little letter regarding one reader’s opinion of our department, and it immediately gave us something to put in our scrapbook.