You gotta get in the game
One of my favorite memories of the past football season as to do with a young man on the team – “Good.” I call him this because, when we stood next to each other, good things happened on the field. I met him in the spring at a football camp and instantly liked him. He had an air of innocence, with a scraggly beard. Good has Asperger’s. (No one told me as much, but there was no need.)
Fast forward to a Friday night in early September. The team was warming up on the field with Good sitting on the bench. I sat next to him, offered gum and tried to start some chitchat. I was curious as to why he wasn’t in uniform for the game. “I missed practice this week.” He was bummed, so we spoke about his role on the sideline. I told him, “You gotta be in the game. You gotta be there for your buddies. You gotta have their back, pump them up. You’re part of the team, you gotta be in the game.”
As the team took the field, Good had tears running down his cheeks. I stuck next to him. “Gotta get in the game. Gotta stay in the game, cheer your buddies on.”
As the half wore on and as half-time approached, I asked Good if he was going to the locker room. “No.” “No, why not? You’re part of this team. It’s your job to support your buddies. C’mon, you come in with me.”
So we went. He went into the locker room with the team, I stayed outside the doors, out of the way. 15 minutes later, the team marches out the door for the second half. Good is dressed in his uniform. Cool, the coaches let him get dressed for the second half. Really cool of them.
The second half started and the teams struggle back and forth. I see Good sitting on the bench. “Good, you gotta support your buddies, you gotta get into the game.” Good stands, put on his helmet, but has this look in his eyes like “Are you sure?”
It hits me. I ask “Good, which coach told you to put your pads on.” Good replies “You did!”
Duh! Hello! Literal! – “Get in the game!” I meant “Stand on the sidelines. Cheer. Support your buddies.” He heard “Get in the game.” I should’ve known better.
I explained to Good, I was the assistant water boy, not a coach. I also assured him I’d explain to his coaches what happened and he wouldn’t get in trouble, because at this point, he was really worried.
Don’t worry, it all worked out – and I relearned a lesson. I gotta get in and stay in the game.