Sons first year of football HS level

Question
Thank you so much for the advise I'm feeling better about it already. He is really having fun out there, but I was like your parents and this is the first time Ive allowed him to play football. It made me laugh when you asked why he isn't a quarterback? Truth is my son can throw great passes, he just cant run that fast. You can almost time him with a calender! Of course he has slimmed down and become alot stronger since football. I did have another concern that maybe you can help me with. My sister and her family are into football quite a lot and they think that Andrew doesnt have enough confidence in himself. he has a tendancy to say Mom, look how fast that kid can throw, or look how big that kid is and he throws pretty hard and fast himself and like you say he's not that small himself!  I would love to change his mind set and i always tell him positive things but I think because I don't know alot about sports he doesn't seem to hear me. Any suggestions?
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Followup To

Question -
My son was born very gifted in sports. He must have gotten that from someone else in my family because I am definetly not athletic. Anyway he has always played baseball and has been very good at it. He is a left handed pitcher and first baseman. At age 11 he could throw nearly 65-70 miles an hour. He is a very big kid just now turning 14 he stands almost 6 feet and about 210 pounds and very muscular. This year he started his first year in highschool amnd joined the freshman football team. He has been chosen to play starting center and first round strong tackle (?) I never really wanted him to play football because of the dangers of him getting hurt he may never be able to play baseball again. He was second round tackle but this week they moved him up to first round. I dont know much about football and my son does not want me to go to the games yet, because he says he could get hurt. Im not that dumb and know that he could get hurt but most mothers on the team say that at his age 14 the boys rarely get hurt.His coach says the same. Is that true. Do you think it is wise to not play football if your main sport is baseball or do you think playing both sports is okay. This may sound like a stupid question to you but I dont have a clue what I should do.

Answer -
Dear Carol Arnold,
There are no stupid questions. If you do not ask questions, how are you going to learn. And it is okay to worry about your son. If you do not worry about him who will.

I want you to know, that I am a dad too. And I am on your side. If it was my son, playing football, I would be worried too. However, at that age it is rare for the kids to hurt each other.

I do not know what state your son is playing football, however, you son is big for his age group. I think the other parents should be worried about your son.

The one question I would ask is, why didn't he go out for quarterback? If he is a pitcher, he must have an arm.

When I was your son's age I wanted to play football and my parents did not let me. When they changed their minds it was the happiest day of my life. I also played tackle and I was over 6 feet tall and 230 pounds. I never got hurt and I never hurt anybody. I did knock the wind out of a lot of people. Nothing too bad. it was the most fun I had in my life. I could have play one or two more years if my parents had not stopped me. I still feel bad about that today.

One fact that we must face is, that nobody can see the future and that anything can happen. Your son could get hurt. It is unlikly but it could happen. All I can do is give you all the facts and hope everthing works out for you and your son.

I wish you good luck with your son and the football season. And do not let anybody make you feel bad because you are worring about your son. The fact that you are worried about your son, tells me that you are a great dad. We need more guys like you in this great country of ours.

I hope I was of help. If you need anymore help please let me know and I will be happy to do so.
Your friend, Coach Louis

P.S. Have your son always keep his head up. Most players get hurt when they drop their head and another player hits them on the top of the head or back of the head. I tell my players to always look for the tree tops.

Answer
Dear Carol Arnold,
It is never too late to learn. The N.F.L. has video tapes that takes you step by step into the learning process.

You can also sit down on the weekends and watch a game with your son. I am sure he would like that.

I once dated a girl that knew nothing about football. She would come over my house on Sundays and sit there for 3-hours while I would watch the game. Little by little she learned about the rules and how the game is played. She now has a favorite team and can talk your head off about the game. She is also the girl I married.

So you see, anybody can learn about sports. If I were you I would give the N.F.L. video a try. I am not sure what it is called, something like "N.F.L. for new guys" or something like that. Anyway, all the sport stores have it. Give it a try.
Your friend, Coach Louis