Any football coach will admit that America's favorite sport is the ultimate team game. And on those teams are deserving individuals who help spread the teamwork philosophy.
Carson (Calif.) High School football coach Mike Christensen recognizes that fact, and he turned to USA Football to help honor his most highly regarded players: the captains.
Christensen, a well-entrenched supporter of USA Football and a member of the American Football Coaches Association's high school committee, implemented the USA Football Captain's Pack on his team this season. Captain's Packs are available through USA Football's League Administrator and Coaching Memberships.
"It's a great way to the honor the kids," Christensen said. "Football is such a team-oriented sport, and it's really difficult to give individual notoriety. But in this case, we think it's warranted. Each team has a couple of kids who are cornerstones.
"The Captain's Pack was a good thing to do. It encourages the kind of behavior that all coaches want from their players and it encourages kids to step up into a leadership role."
The NFL has also looked to promote the importance of team leadership through the role of captains, with 28 teams selecting season-long captains on offense, defense and special teams for 2008. Age is only a number when it comes to how much the recognition of being named a captain can mean.
"Being appointed captain is one of the greatest accomplishments of my career," says six-year Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson. "I'm going to take it with pride and wear the ‘C' with honor."
The ‘C' patch now visible on the jerseys of NFL players has been a staple for Christensen in honoring previous captains. Making it easier for Christensen to appoint team leaders, the USA Football package gave him one-stop shopping.
"We've done similar things, with the ‘C' and the American flag, and this package fit into what we do," he said. "I liked the fact they also include helmet stickers as part of the package. It combined everything we were looking for."
Carson's two captains - senior tight end Morrell Presley and senior linebacker AJ Ropati - were honored with the presentation of the captain's ‘C' during a team meeting.
"They signed pledge cards from USA Football in front of their teammates, so they understand what their responsibilities are and what it means to be a captain," Christensen said. "They understand it's a big deal. Since we only have two captains, it makes it even more special. Those guys are deserving and have the characteristics and conduct traits that we want in our captains."
Christensen gave each player a helmet sticker as a way of recognizing those who made the varsity roster for the first game. Thousands of ESPN viewers nationwide saw the captain's ‘C' and helmet stickers when Carson met Santa Ana Mater Dei on Sept. 3 in a 46-43 triple-overtime loss. And Christensen couldn't have been more pleased than to unknowingly help spread the word about sportsmanship and character with the Captain's patch and helmet stickers worn by his players.
"I'm glad it worked out that way for USA Football," he said. "They do such a good job that I'm glad it got some publicity for them."
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
