Imagine . . .

       Imagine you are an eight year old little boy.  Go ahead and think back to when you were a kid.  Imagine you are not necessarily the greatest athlete, you've had your share of embarrassing moments.  There's even been a time or two when you were the last one to get picked for a team during P.E.  But you LOVE football.  Maybe you were too big, or too small.  Whatever the reason, most of us have felt inferior when it comes to sports at some time in our lives.  Now imagine you are on an Upward Football team.  What's Upward you ask?  So glad you asked!   Upward is a Christian based sports program that allows everyone to play.  Yep, everyone plays ,every position. 

     Now imagine that you've been to practice once a week for around 4 weeks and today is the first game.  Butterflies are swarming in your tummy.  You're all dressed out in your uniform, you line up by the field and loud music is playing.  You know the music - football music.  Music that makes even a girl like me have chill bumps.  Cheerleaders line up side by side forming a "tunnel" and over a loud speaker, the name of your team is announced!  "Are you ready for some football? Then let's welcome the Bulldogs!",  the announcer yells.  Then over the loud speaker you hear it - YOUR NAME!  You run through the tunnel, people are clapping and screaming.  In the back of your mind you know your mama's watching and you feel so proud.  As you continue through the tunnel everyone gives you "high fives" and you hold tight to your mouth piece.  Coach says you can't play without it and you've lost it twice already just this morning.  Then, after every single player and cheerleader take the field,  you go to the middle of the football field and take a knee.  And then, the referee prays.  He thanks God for this beautiful, sunshiny, yet very hot day.  He prays that everyone is safe.  Yes, I realize this is flag football, but hey, anything can happen when you put a group of 8 year old boys on the field.  And then it's time.  Coach calls your name and reminds you what to do.  You get to be quarterback.  You love the way the football feels in your hands, you even love the way it smells.  Imagine, you throw it and the other guy catches it!  Everyone yells and screams.  The runner zigs and zags and makes a touch down!  "Way to go Upward, way to go!" the cheerleaders yell.  Your coach tells you "good job" and pats you on the back.  Your mama's all smiles too.

     If you can imagine the feeling of being encouraged and built up, then you can imagine what Upward is all about.  Now, I will admit that I know very little about the rules in football.  But I do know about the heart of a little kid.  I know what it's like to be scared and nervous and unsure of yourself.  So that's one reason I love the Upward program so much.  The coaches are trained to encourage the kids.  A lot is said about a circle of criticism and how criticism tears kids down.  But encouragement builds kids up.  Now, all you true grit sports fans, hold on to your hat when you hear this one.  We don't keep score at Upward.  Yes, you heard right.  That has been a lot tougher on the adult volunteers, coaches and parents than it is on the players.  I know it sounds kind of outlandish but let's admit it - adults are the ones who sometimes ruin sports for kids.  Have you been to a Rec Football game in past 30 years?   I am willing to bet that every single one of you can think of a time when a parent showed his or her butt.  Well, that's one thing Upward won't stand for. 

     Are Upward coaches perfect?  Absolutely not.  But they work on it daily, and for some of us it's taken years to truly embrace the real meaning of Upward.  Is Upward for everybody?  Probably not, but it sure has given a lot of little 8 year old, awkward little boys a chance to throw a touchdown pass who would have never had that opportunity in other sports leagues.  I have lots more to say about Upward.  I must give equal time to my Upward cheerleaders!  But that's a good story for another day.