It’s an hour into night two of the NFL draft but I’m on deadline to get out this article on Family Month. Of course, the TV stays on, and I pause and look up from the keyboard every time a pick is in. Distracted much? Yet sometime during the last commercial, I realized that I’ve been missing the obvious. After each name is called, marking the beginning of some young man’s exhilarating career, the camera cuts to him at home — with his family. Who’s the first person the brand-new Chicago Bear or Dallas Cowboy hugs? His mama!
No one needs to explain why extended families show up, dressed up, for this momentous occasion. They are part of the football player’s journey. It has been literally a family affair. The cousins in the background helping themselves to chips attended dozens of high school games to cheer on their “cuz” when the NFL was only a pipedream. Sisters and brothers may have had to sacrifice dance classes or new sneakers when their sibling’s sports career required an investment.
And it’s impossible to gauge the depth of commitment and encouragement of his parents that preceded his walk across the stage to accept a rookie contract. Last night during round one, players and their families were on site in Green Bay, so their big moment was shared by a network interviewer. She asked all the draftees’ fathers the same question, and it never got old. “What does this moment mean to you after all the sacrifices you’ve made?” The dads wiped their eyes and replied with a version of “It means everything.”
Cutting back to the TV panel, they’re now discussing the top 10 best prospects still on the board. Sure, they’re comparing college accomplishments, awards, size, speed and strength. But they’re also saying that, often, the deciding factor is the player’s character. And where does that develop? In his family. Is he respectful, humble, grounded, hard-working, generous? If so, you can thank his family for nourishing those qualities in him. The coaches, general managers, teammates, scouts are all looking for a good football player, but just as importantly, they want a good man.
Over the past two days, I saw lots of families celebrating. Were they celebrating the fact that their son/brother/nephew saw his NFL dreams come true? Sure, but they were also celebrating success as a family. Yet, a historic occasion like the NFL draft isn’t necessary to inspire a family to celebrate. A backyard barbecue will do. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up, but the family is too important to be relegated to two days — it should last the entire five weeks in between. Thank those who invested in you. Recognize your roots. Family. There wouldn’t be a you without it.
For more ideas on how to celebrate family, visit The Family Month Project at www.familymonthproject.com.
Diane Dunlap retired in Santa Fe seven years ago, after three careers: chef, editor, and teacher. She is a latecomer to NFL fandom, and now is obsessed.
