How a PeeWee Football Team Became Our Family

Character. Discipline. Focus. Approaching our inaugural season of peewee football, these were the things my husband and I knew football would help our son to understand. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find out it would also do something much greater–football has provided our son with a place to come into his own.

A Sense of Belonging

After coming home from school with a flyer for flag football, our son, Cullen, approached my husband and me in the spring of 2022 about joining the team. Going into the season, we knew Cullen would do well. He’s always been described as athletic and fun to be around. Cullen is extremely technical and enjoys playing anything that gets him outside. He had played three seasons of baseball, but we had not yet considered football. We talked it out as a family and agreed it was time to try something new.

Thankfully, there are many opportunities for youth today to get involved in the sport. Tackle, flag, co-ed, girls only—there are a lot of options, which provides everyone with an opportunity to find a league and community that fits their family’s culture and needs. We chose to register Cullen for tackle football in the summer of 2022.

At five years old, our son took to the sport like a fish to water. After his first conditioning practice, he came home happy. Despite being drenched in sweat and red-faced, he was smiling ear to ear. Following a brief review of what I had missed, he rushed off to the shower to wash up and get ready for dinner. Suddenly, for the first time ever, we heard our son singing in the shower. My husband and I looked at each other, smiling. We knew we had made the right decision. We were home.

Character

Next came the pads. Cullen’s coach looked at his dad after the first tackle with wide eyes. Practically speechless, he uttered, “wow.” Finally, Cullen had found a place to channel all that energy in a positive way! It was clear he had found his tribe.

For the longest time, we knew something was different about Cullen. In preschool, we noticed he would traditionally find a partner to buddy up with. The two of them would push the limit just a little too far, and, before we knew it, one or both of them would be in trouble with the teacher. Frustrated, we could not understand why Cullen was not a leader in the classroom.

Football has provided a place for him to develop and grow. It has helped us see that there are more than just leaders and followers. In football, there are teammates, supporters, protectors, warriors, doers, encouragers, and more. They are all so incredibly important to the success of the team. We have seen Cullen grow in character, and we emphasize the importance of that in whatever role he is playing. 

Discipline

Much like any other sport, practice is the key to becoming a good football player and team. Our son has seen first-hand how important the discipline of practice can be in game-time situations. Running sprints every practice for weeks did not make a lot of sense to him at first, but watching another team give out when he and his team still had gas in the tank really drove home the point of discipline.

Focus

Our son has a lot of energy and can get bored easily. Football has taught him to channel his energy and focus on the task at hand. Thanks to turnovers, false starts, and a blindside or two, he has learned the consequences of not being focused. We have seen football practice and the routine it provides channel his energy and help him focus on and off the field.

Family

Cullen’s teammates are affectionately described by his coaches as his brothers. The first time I heard that, I thought it was simply a nice gesture. That was until we needed them. In the Spring of 2023, my family was involved in a traumatic event. Thankfully, we were not physically injured. However, we had been hit emotionally. As word traveled, moms began to reach out with comforting words and support. Teammates set up play dates, and, as a family, we rallied. Coming into this football season, Cullen is on the path to healing and has a great support system with his team. He and his teammates truly depend on each other and lift one another up. 

Get Started!

Birmingham Mom Collective is proud to partner with the National Football Foundation (NFF) and Future for Football to share more about the positive impact of football and the opportunities to get involved. For 75 years, the NFF has celebrated the game of football through its annual College Football Hall of Fame class and academic awards. It also aims to see future generations experience football’s positive impact. If you’re looking for an opportunity for your child to learn, grow, and have fun, football is a great option! Check out the Future for Football League Finder to find a league near you.