High school football is right around the corner.

All teams are practicing for what they hope to be a successful season.

A few years ago, prior to one team’s first practice, a guest speaker addressed the coaches and players. His first question was, “Who are the quarterbacks of this team?”

Three young men raised their hands.

Then he asked, “How far can you throw a football?” One said, “35 yards,” another said, “40 yards,” and the next, projected to be the starting quarterback, proudly said, “55 yards.”

“That’s great!” the speaker said, as he reached in his bag and pulled out a flat football.

“Let’s see you throw it 55 yards,” he challenged the young man. “I can’t throw one without air 55 yards,” he said.

 To this the speaker said, “Just like that flat ball is the way a person’s life is without Jesus Christ.”

As we approach the football season, my appeal to the parents of the players and to the fans is for everyone to have enthusiasm with class.

If you do, the coaches and players will know that you unselfishly support them.

Remember, football is only a game, and with that in mind, I would like to share the following prayer with all the teams.

“The Game of Football”

Dear God: Help me to be a good sport in this little game of football. I don’t ask for any special place in the lineup. Give the coach wisdom to play me where needed. I only ask that I can give you 100 percent of everything I have, and in doing so, the coach will be satisfied. If all the hard drives come my way, I thank you for the compliment. Help me to remember that you never send a player more than he can handle.

And, help me, Lord, to accept the bad breaks as part of the game. May I always play on the square, no matter what the others do. Help make me thankful for me.

Finally, God, if fate seems to be unfair to me during the season and I’m benched for any reason, help me not to whimper, or squeal, that the game was a frame-up, or that I got a raw deal. But when the season is over, and the banquet is held, I don’t need any special recognition. I just want to feel that I’ve been a team player, not only on the football team, but also in the most important game — the game of life. My only desire is to please you, and in doing so, I’ll please my coaches and will be an influence to my teammates.

And when the final game is played, all I want to hear my coach say is, “You have been a loyal team player and a pleasure to coach.”

 

Individuals win games — teams win championships.

 

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.