Football has started. And football in the midwest is about as big as it gets. I’ve  lived on both coasts, and while football is big those places too, it’s lived and breathed here.  It’s obssessed over. Especially college ball. Divisions over team loyalty can break up familes, friends, churches, even your MOPS group. Since I didn’t go to school out here, I am allowed a GO HOKIES. Otherwise, I stay out of the college ball rivalry.

But when it comes to football in general, it’s a matter of “when in Rome…”  They are frequent neighborhood football games, which are more akin to rugby. The older boys participate in those regularly with only a few trips to the ER needed over the years .  The younger ones, however, have been relegated to being yell leaders on the sidelines.

Then this year, I happened to notice that our local parks and rec offers a Flag Football League for younger kids. I signed my youngest four up right away, including the four year-old.

Today was his first practice, and, the poor kid didn’t have a clue. There is no tackling in flag football. And since Kyle has 6 older brothers, tackling is the one thing he has perfected in his life so far. He had no idea how to center, hike the ball, catch, or throw. He was born to be a linebacker. When it came time to learn how to de-flag another player, Kyle pulled his own flag off and chased the other players around trying to give it to one of them.  He thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I think I will assign a different brother to work with him each day for the next week. After all, they will need the practice too. Maybe that will help them all be more prepared next week. And even if it doesn’t, we will still have a great time!