Lessons in a Football Life

[mabrowndog]

Because he's too humble to start a thread on it, here's a great essay on football and its influence on a boy and his growth through manhood by SoSH FC's Mark Schofield. I've had the honor and pleasure of editing a lot of great stuff since we launched the site a few months ago, but this one was a truly special read.
 

 
People often ask me if playing football was worth it, and I can see why they ask. I have a torn labrum in one shoulder and a torn rotator cuff in the other. I have bulging discs at three levels in my spine. I have two knees that give me fits and need cortisone shots from time to time. I needed to have that left thumb reconstructed before I graduated college. When I read about CTE I cannot help but wonder about my concussions, diagnosed and undiagnosed, and worry. On paper, I’m a text-book example of the guy who says that he loved it every day he played and now regrets it everyday as he tries to get out of bed.

 
Lessons in a Football Life
 
From all of us at Football Central, thanks for reading -- and a safe and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours..

 

[Section15Box113]

Awesome piece, Mark.  Thanks for sharing your experience (and thanks for starting the thread, 'dog) - and happy Thanksgiving!

 

[nazz45]

Tremendous read. Thank you, Mark.

 

[Super Nomario]

Wonderful piece.

 

[StupendousMan]

I enjoyed the piece, too.  Thanks for writing it.
 
There's a small typo that will confuse readers, I think, in the "Pay Attention To The Current Situation" section.
 
   "I would take an off-tackle handoff to the left"  should be  "I would FAKE an off-tackle handoff to the left", right?
 
If it really is "take," you must have had a pretty complicated offensive backfield.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Awesome stuff Mark.


Even thought you should have gone to Bates.

 

[jacklamabe65]

An exceptional piece, Mark - thank you!

 

[doldmoose34]

fantastic story Mark, for al of the so called 'stars' out there they'd be nothing without the team players, both on the field and in real life

 

[mascho]

Thanks for reading guys, and the kind words.

A huge thanks to sf121, rev, ScubaSteveAvery and Browndog for doing what they've been doing for a while now and making me look good.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Fantastic piece Mark.