When kids first start elementary school, their mothers can hold their hands while waiting for the bus to make its way through the neighborhood. But when these kids become teenagers and their first day of high school football practice arrives, their mothers can only hope they have prepared their child for the next exciting chapter in their life.
Part of growing up involves gaining a little more independence at home, but that doesn't mean mothers won't still be there for their kids through thick and thin. Making the jump from youth to high school football is a big step for any athlete, but with support from mom and the rest of the family, the transition can be made much smoother.
"Research has shown that students who juggle academics and arts and sports in school tend to do better academically and have fewer behavioral problems than their counterparts," said Alicia McCareins, mother of Tennessee Titans WR Justin McCareins and a member of the Professional Football Players Mothers' Association (PFPMA)."Among some of the benefits are the ability of athletics to promote discipline among athletes who must acquire and maintain the mindset to budget their time appropriately. They acquire important life skills, including being able to handle the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat with grace."
Justin, who racked up 412 yards for the Titans in the 2008-2009 season, participated in several other sports besides football growing up in Illinois including baseball, swimming, track and basketball. And although his mother was somewhat anxious about the fact that moving up to the high school level would have him encounter players that were not only older but bigger and stronger as well, Justin was poised and ready for the challenge.
"Justin moved on to the high school stage without nervousness. Rather, he was excited, eager for the next challenge and confident he would do well," Alicia said."The anxiety he felt was healthy because it revolved around his desire and drive to excel, and his anticipation that the high school stage was a new beginning where he would learn and improve."
Also playing more than one sport off the football field, Buffalo Bills safety Donte' Whitner, who had 61 tackles during the 2008-2009 season, used the other sports he played as a way to gear up for his move to the high school ranks. His mother, PFPMA member Deborah Whitner, never worried about her son's busy schedule because playing sports helped keep his academics in check as well.
"He's always had that strong personality where he knows he's going to succeed in whatever it is," Deborah said of her son, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft after suiting up for the Ohio State Buckeyes. "So when he transitioned from elementary school to high school, he knew that to play football that he had to make it in the classroom, and this is something I stressed in all my kids."
Deborah said she was so thankful to have her five boys involved with sports because it gave them an opportunity to realize that good things can come from hard work and determination. Despite growing up in a bad neighborhood, Donte' was able to stick to the straight and narrow and accomplish a lifelong dream of his.
"I went to one camp in Pittsburgh, and he had gone to hundreds of camps over the years in high school," Deborah said. "The coaches couldn't believe my son ran a 4.2 40-yard dash. I just started crying and I knew the focus was all on him, and I realized that he was going to do something special."
It was evident in high school that Tommie Harris was poised to do something special as well. But despite the crowd that would turn out to see Tommie, now a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, and his team put on a display, there were two people in particular that he wanted to make sure were always in attendance.
"When he got into high school and I would go to his games, sometimes I felt a little bad going because I just didn't want him to be hurt out there because there was so much action going on," said Tommie's mother, Janie, also a member of the PFPMA. "But he waited on his mother to be there at the game. It made a big difference to have us in the stands; he used to call and make sure his dad and I were on our way to the games, so I always supported him from high school to college and now to the NFL."
A first round draft pick by the Bears in 2004, giving up was never an option for Tommie. He grew up in a military family and spent his childhood living on an Army base in Killeen, Texas. Playing football was just one more way to strengthen the values that had been instilled in him his whole life.
"You have to be focused on what you're doing," Janie said. "You have to try hard to achieve what you're trying to do, so he's always been very disciplined."
Alicia agreed saying she supported her son's decision to continue playing football in high school because the game helped to strengthen the values her and her husband were teaching at home.
"They learn teamwork and many acquire leadership skills that propel them to great heights later in life," Alicia said."I also knew that Justin loved football and had demonstrated skills that his coaches identified as being of NFL quality. It was easy to help him accept the challenge and make the prediction a reality."
