As most of you know, I work at a high school… as an athletic trainer. This means I help prevent, evaluate, and treat athletic injuries (for sports after school). This summer, Scott and I were able to do the preseason conditioning program for the football team, too. So, needless to say, I’ve gotten a little attached to this year’s football team.
Well, they did it. The football team won the semi-final game in our division last night, which sends them to the Superbowl in Eastern Massachusetts (to be played this Saturday). And Scott and I can’t help but beam because we helped make them what they are (only a little boasting). We’ve equipped them to perform by playing “chaos” games to mentally challenge them, by giving them functional exercises such as flipping tires, wheelbarrow races, overspeed training, and by teaching them teamwork by making all exercises relay races. Once the season started, Scott stayed to help a day a week, continuing what they had done all summer, while I began performing my duties as athletic trainer. But because they had been so well conditioned, I rarely saw more than a few boys a day. And the injuries I’ve seen this year are the result of accident, injuries that even a pro would sustain if they were in the same situation.
Accidents do happen, though, and I’ve seen everything from broken ankles and wrists, to knees sprains and dislocated shoulders, to even (possibly) bone cancer… as a side note, please pray for one of my athletes who may be facing a tough road ahead, as doctor’s are still trying to diagnose the insidious lumps that are forming in his hand. As an athletic trainer, it’s my job to get these injured kids back into the game, and for some kids, the time it takes to get back is too long. Ultimately, they know that it’s for the good of the team that a healthy athlete gets in the game ahead of them. This is just another facet of teamwork. So, I work in the business of healing. It’s really pretty cool to see body processes at work (more so God at work), and see the boys learn lessons for life while rehabbing their injuries. Many boys have left my office telling me that they’ve learned so much about how the body works and these are things they’ll likely never forget.
So, these kids are better prepared for life after football, and high school, for that matter. As an athletic trainer, it’s been a pleasure to see kids come to my office, fully knowing that they may have to give up their starting spot, due to an injury, because they know that the next guy will step up for them temporarily while they get back to 100%, and they trust that I can help them get there. Injuries are a lot harder to swallow when athletes don’t recognize this fact. Many times I have to pull kids from practice, or keep them out against their will… I know what’s best for them (sometimes even better than their own parents), and I want to see them succeed, not hurt themselves worse.
It’s the end of the season now, and I only have two players on the sideline, which are pretty good odds for post-season football. And as they come to the end of what they prepared so much for at the beginning of the season, I now see this whole season as preparation for this year to come. I’ve watched the football team learn about teamwork, allegiance, trust, respect, obedience, healing… all of which I’ll need on the World Race. I’m prepared to cover people’s backs, to assist in healing (and I’m excited to see God do the healing), to step in when others are weak, to let others fill in my place when I don’t have the strength, and to stick together in times of good fortune and bad. Finally, I’m prepared to believe that, with Jesus, we will succeed even when the cards are stacked against us (my football team is constantly the underdog).
And this is why I firmly believe football is one big analogy for life. I’ve already been an integral part of one team, recognizing my role, setting goals, and striving to do my best with the gifts I’ve been given. Now it’s time to start a new “season.” The goals are the same even though the game has changed.
(By the way… GO WHITTIER!!!… one game to go!)
