PODCAST : your daddy's hip hop vol 2...

On this week's episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, my son, Kameron, joins me to discuss a wide range of topics from beats vs lyrics, his affinity for Tupac, hip hop samples, and much more.


your daddy's hip hop vol 2...


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and so it begins..

I was looking through some old photos and ran across this picture.

My first thought was about how young Sherice and I look (LOL). This was sometime in 2003. We were just two young parents getting started.

My second thought was on the two little boys in the picture. Deion, who was almost 4...and Kameron who was almost 1. I'm amazed at how much time has flown by since this photo. They were just 2 little boys. They aren't little boys anymore. Deion is a senior in high school. Kameron is a freshman. As looked at the picture, it took me to a place beyond the two little faces. I remembered the day that we found out that we were having our second son. I did the math and realized that Kameron would be 3 years behind Deion. This made me think immediately about me and my brother, Damon.

As you may or may not know, my brother Damon is almost 3 years younger than me. Knowing that I'd have 2 sons immediately gave me visions of me and Damon growing up all over again. We grew up in a house where our parents loved us and encouraged us to be ourselves. We did the stuff that brothers do...we played, argued, teased each other, fussed, and got on each others nerves. But there was always love and respect. We always looked out for each other.

Fast forward to 2016. Deion and Kameron are back in school together. This could be the last year that they attend school together. This time next year, Deion will be in college. And Kameron will still be at home. As the summer ended, I gave them "lectures" on what to expect and what we expected from them. There was a level of excitement in our house because with them both at the same school...it's less running around for us.

Seeing the two of them in high school together made me remember my senior year at Wilson High. Like Kameron, Damon was a freshman. My senior year was EVERYTHING. I remember people would say..."I didn't know your brother was here"...others would say "There's a freshman walking around who looks like you."...then there were the few who'd say "I didn't know you had a brother". By now; I'm sure Deion has heard it all. They've been in school for a month now. I've already given them a more than a few talks. The talks usually start with me saying..."When I was in high school..." I'm sure they may be tired of hearing it. But I want them to enjoy this year together.

I told them before school started..."Deion you have to look out for Kameron. And Kameron you have to listen to Deion." Sometimes that's the hardest things to convey to teenage boys. They have very different personalities. Deion is very outgoing and very friendly. Kids like him. Deion is friends with EVERYBODY. I like it when parents tell me how much they enjoy being around him and how mild mannered he is. Kameron is very laid back. He likes to get a "read" on people before he lets you get near him. At times, he appears to be quiet but that's not the case. He's very outgoing...especially with his friends. He has his "4 man crew". Those are his best friends. He's cool with kids outside of his crew but nobody comes above the crew. I laugh when I see them together because they remind me so much of how I was with my crew. In a lot of ways...including what I described...they are a lot like their Dad. And that's not a bad thing.

From the first day of school, I've been preaching to Deion about how he's got to look out for Kameron. A few weeks ago, Deion was on the phone with Damon. When he got off the phone he said...

"Dad, Uncle Damon said when he first got to Wilson with you...you told him 'Don't come around me. Don't bother me. And don't come around me and my friends'. What's up with that, Dad?"

LMAO!!! Wait...I don't ever remember saying that.

Did I say it? I doubt it. But if he said that I said it. I might have said it.

Nonetheless, I want them to enjoy this year. I told Deion that his "little brother is cool and he's going to blaze his own trails. You just help guide him". And that's true. That's what's going to happen. It happened to us. I looked up one day and people weren't calling him "Kyle's little brother". He quickly made a name for himself. Kameron will do the same. I enjoyed that year at Wilson with him. I want Deion to do the same with Kameron.

The next year, I enrolled at South Carolina State University. Four years later, Damon joined me there.

Who knows...history could repeat itself. We'll see...

a letter to my kids...

I have often said that one of the great things about having this blog is that people can read it and get to know how you feel about things. I think one of the reasons why I've kept the blog and haven't deleted it is that I want my kids to read it and gain a different perspective as how their father saw the world through his eyes. Honestly, they know this blog exists but I don't think they've read much of it. But that's cool. One day they will.

Tomorrow is Father's Day. It's a special day for me because it's a day that I celebrate because of THEM. My children. Instead of writing a post about something random or silly, I decided to write this open letter to them...

Deion (age 15)


My first born! You were the first to make me a father. I still remember the day that you came into this world. It seems like it was yesterday. I remember standing in the delivery room and looking at you with amazement. You had only been on this earth for a few minutes before you urinated on the doctor who was trying to weigh you. The doctor smiled at us and said "Well...we know that part works." You and I are alike in a lot of ways. I have told you since you were a baby to always be a leader...not a follower. You are a great leader and I truly feel that you were put on this earth to be a leader. Am I hard on you? Yes! But it's only because I want you to see the greatness that is within you. The sky is the limit for you. As you move forward in life, you'll realize the lessons that I'm teaching will take you far in life. You're father is pretty smart...but you already know that by now. I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!


Kameron (12)


You are...by far...the most talented child. And that's no knock on your siblings...because everybody has multiple talents. You just have more. Anybody that has ever been around you will tell you that. I've found over time that you can be extremely shy around unfamiliar faces and the life of the party around friends and family. I am like that, too. It's not always easy being someone's little brother and someone's big brother...but you've done it well. Your mother and I realized a long time ago that when Kameron wants to do something, he's going to do it on his terms. That's what makes you who you are. Keep being who you are and keep shining! I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!

Brandon (8)


You are the star of our family! There's no doubt about it. I've never seen a kid this young be so cool! I WISH that I was as cool as you were when I was your age. I was cool but not like you. I've never seen a child so competitive and driven to be the best and win at everything! It's a rare gift. You and I look alike and our birthdays are only separated by a day. And maybe that's the way it was supposed to be. I can't imagine how it feels being the baby boy...but you are no baby. You don't walk in your brothers shadows. You've created your own trail and I like that. Most kids are fearful when it comes to performing in front of an audience. You...you seem to relish in that spotlight. Sometimes I look at you and think to myself..."Is that really MY kid?" Of course you are! And I wouldn't have it any other way! I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!


Skyler (3)


Where do I start? I never envisioned having a daughter. Even when I was a kid, I knew one day I'd get married and have a son. I never thought about having a daughter. Words can't describe how I feel about you. You and I have a very special bond. My friends told me that a little girl would make melt like ice cream. And I've been melting ever since the day that you got here. Our relationship grows each day. To say that I have spoiled you is an understatement. You've learned how to use those big brown puppy dog eyes to get what you want from me. As much as I want to say no...I can't. Sometimes I look at you and I don't want you to get older. Getting older means that one day you will...want to wear make up, want to wear something that I might not like...like boys and want boys to like you back...be approached to do something that you know isn't right. It'll be those moments when you'll hear a voice in your head say..."I can't do that. My Daddy would KILL ME!!!" Simply put, you are a "Daddy's girl" and that will never change! I am proud of the little lady that you have become. I love you!

I know I can be difficult at times. Sometimes I'm James Evans...then I'm Cliff Huxtable. But I'm preparing you for this world that you'll have to live in. Being a father to the 4 of you is something that I take very seriously. It's the most rewarding job that I will ever have. It's a job that I can't afford to fail at...and I won't. Your grandparents have set a high standard for me to follow in becoming what I think a parent should be. If I can become half the parent that they are...I'll be fine.

Right after Deion was born, your grandfather gave me words that I will always remember.

There are 3 things that you must give your child...LOVE, DISCIPLINE, and an EXAMPLE to follow. I will continue to do that until they throw dirt on me. I thank God for loaning you to me!

I love you,

Dad

off tha dome

random thoughts...

I found out the other day that my son, Kameron, has a new teacher this semester in his middle school class. His teacher was a cast member of the now defunked reality show, Sorority Sisters. The subject that she'll be teaching him this semester...drama.

I may be one of the few people that you know who has to "chase" cough medicine with some type of juice when I'm sick. I've been doing it since a kid. Can't stop. I don't like the after taste of medicine

I watch the State of the Union address just to see how miserable John Boehner looks

Speaking of Sorority Sisters, if you pushed for the show to be boycotted until it was removed from the air...but you still watch shows like Real Housewives & Love and Hip Hop...you're a part of the problem

Dear Green Bay Packers...it ain't over til it's over

We should be happy that gas prices are under $2

Why were gas prices over $3?

It's amazing that nearly 2000 people died in Nigeria died from terrorists and it barely made the news...

The Whitney movie on Lifetime wasn't that bad. Wasn't that good, either. I can't say I had high expectations

red velvet cake

Speaking of food...I wish people would stop posting pictures of the food that they cooked. Most of the time, we have to stare at it to see what it is. In the end, your friends are making mental notes NOT to eat at your house

20 yrs later...this album is STILL dope as the first time that I heard it....

You really have to be a low life to make personal attacks at Malia Obama. She's a kid

Pro Era

The Blacklist will be back in 2 weeks! It's set to air after the Super Bowl. Can't wait

I think I get about 4 or 5 headaches a year

There is no free cheese in the rat race that we call life...

Thank you for reading. I appreciate it. You don't comment but you still read. I see you. And I'm thankful

What's next for the Black Lives Matter Movement?

Kevin Hart is hilarious!

Whatever happened to Das Efx?

I find myself telling my sons..."Back in my day...I used to..."

RIP Stuart Scott

I wish I had gotten the chance to see Muhammad Ali in his prime

Schools don't teach kids how to write in cursive anymore. WTH???

A dimple is a birth defect

They say you learn more between birth and age 6 than you learn the rest of our lives. I guess we're all big dummies

Humans are the only animals that have the ability to reason

Ladies...if he's not man enough to come to your door, don't go out with him. No man should "blow the horn" to get you to come outside

Fellas...if she hasn't gotten over him...tell her to get lost. Don't let her use you to be the rebound dude

I want to take piano lessons. You got a piano that I can borrow?

Money will come and go. Time is the one thing that we should really value. We know not how much time that we have.

hang em up

For the past 6 years, I have been a Little League football coach.

I have coached my son, Kameron, and his football team.

This fall...you won't find me on the sidelines.

I have officially "retired" from coaching. My retirement wasn't my choice. Well...it was...but it wasn't. Kameron, who has developed into a pretty good football player, decided this past April to try out for his middle school football team. When he told me of his plans, I asked him if he was sure that was what he wanted to do. I know the level of competition for middle school was pretty high. After visiting his first "tryout", I told Kameron that I didn't know if he was gonna make it.

I told him..."Based on what I see...I don't think you're gonna make it. I'm not trying to discourage you. I believe in you and your talents. But I have to tell you what I see as a person who evaluates talent...not as a father." He knows that I will never sugarcoat anything. I'm honest and always will be.

After tryouts were over, Kameron came home one day and said..."I guess you'll be retiring Dad because I made the team." I was shocked. I didn't think he could do it...but he did! Kameron (12) is very confident...much like his father. I'm not sure if my words pushed him. That wasn't my intent. Nevertheless, he made it.

Not long after Kameron made his middle school team, my youngest son, Brandon, said that he was "retiring" from football. He's only 7 but he's been playing since he was 4. He said he wanted to play basketball and baseball. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes. One thing I know about sports is that you don't "push" or "pressure" a kid into playing a sport. Sports require commitment and dedication. If a kid isn't committed or dedicated, you're wasting your time.

As for me, I loved coaching. I love football. It's my first love. I will miss being around the kids. Most of the kids on our team I've coached for 5 or 6 years. I've watched them grow. We've won a lot of games as well as championships together. I'll miss my fellow coaches. We've developed an unbreakable bond. It's funny to me that I had this much fun coaching when I was very reluctant to coach in the beginning. But this is the end of the road. Now I get to be one of the parents in the stands yelling at the coaches! LOL. I'm hanging up my whistle.

Unless Skyler asks me to coach her team when she gets older...

last day of school

(Deion, Kameron, Brandon & Skyler (photobombed it at the bottom)

Where did the school year go?

It feels like the school year just started a few weeks ago.

Today is the last day of the school year!!!

It was an interesting year in my house. The kids were all in their milestone grades. Brandon (7) has completed the 1st grade. He was on the Honor Roll and was named Student of the Month for the month of April for his school. Kameron (11) has completed the 6th grade. It was his first year of middle school. He made the Honor Roll for most of the year and balanced playing football last fall. Honestly, I didn't know how he'd handle the workload from his classes and practice but he got it done. Deion (14) completed his freshman year in high school. While he didn't make the Honor Roll, he adjusted to high school quicker than I thought he would. I need to re-direct his focus from girls to working harder in the classroom. He will do better next year!

The last day of school brings back many memories for me. But things are so different for these kids. We would leave school for the summer and you wouldn't see most of your friends until school started again. Nowadays with technology, these kids will keep in touch with their friends on a daily basis.

Remember when you went to camp for the summer back in the days??? You did that for a week or two and it was dope. My kids will go to summer camp every day this summer. It's fun for them but it doesn't sound like as much fun as we had.

Then...we always explored that sacred place back in our day...it was called OUTSIDE. There was nothing like being outside for HOURS at a time. Sometimes I'll send my kids outside to play in the yard only for them to come back inside 15 mins later for water or a popsicle.

There was always a big FIGHT at school on the last day of school. You could fight and get away with it because you probably wasn't going to get suspended...unless you got caught. The fight always started with somebody saying something like "I don't like _____. I've been wanting to beat her up all year. Tell her that I'm gonna get her on the last day of school." Somebody would relay the message and it'd go from there. There was always somebody trying to be Don King and they'd hype the fight up. I remember 2 girls who fought on the last day of 8th grade. I told myself that I had to see that fight because they were fighting over a boy. Well, they fought after school on the last day. Fists and hair was flying. Next thing that I know...a bra comes off and we get a glimpse of one girl's breasts!!! She was one of the finest girls in the school. And when I saw her breasts, I felt like I had just witnessed one of the best things ever!!!

Thankfully, there will be no fights at their schools tomorrow. And that's a good thing!

SnowJam 2014

The images on TV looked like a scene in the movies, Walking Dead or The Day After Tomorrow.

Thousands of people stranded in traffic for hours trying to make it home. Thousands of them would leave their cars on along the highway and WALK home in 20 degree weather.

Over 1000 of students were stranded at SCHOOL. Their buses could not pick them up from school nor could their parents.

The culprit???

Two and a half inches of snow

This was the scene in Atlanta on Tuesday.

WHAT HAPPENED???

A snow storm that swept through the deep south dumped snow on the ATL. I knew it was coming. Apparently, the government officials and the mayor of Atlanta, Karim Reed, didn't know it. We had been warned that we would be getting snow as early as last week. At one point last weekend, the prediction was that the snow would come to the areas far south of the city of Atlanta. Cities like Macon and Columbus would be hit with 4 inches of snow. The path of the snow storm changed on Monday and we were notified that metro Atlanta would get 1-2 inches. I learned this on MONDAY. I guess the governor, Nathan Deal, missed the memo, too. On Tuesday morning, schools were open. So were businesses and the government. I checked my weather app on my phone. It clearly said that the snow would start at 11am. I was cool because I was already at home. The kids were at school. My wife was already at work downtown. I looked out my window at 10 am. No snow. Did it at 11 am. No sign of snow. At noon I decided to step out of the crib. I walked outside and I see that the snow is coming down in buckets. Minutes later, I get a call from my son Kameron. He's at his middle school and he wants me to pick him up. I told him that I'd be there in 10 mins. I found it strange that the school was releasing kids. On my way to pick him up, I get an email from our school district office notifying parents that they can pick up their kids because they will be letting them out early. I thought to myself "did these fool NOT know that it was going to snow?"

Deion and Brandon caught the school bus home and everybody is home by 3 pm including my wife who left work at noon. I scoop up Skyler and everybody is safe at the crib. At this time, I'm still perplexed as to why people are having to scramble to get home. I looked outside and I knew that at some point the roads were going to get bad. It was rush hour. The temperature was about 25. The snow that had fallen was going to turn to ice on the roads that had not been treated. As it turns out, many of the major highways and interstates weren't.

I watched the news just like the rest of the world and saw the damage caused by this storm. Two inches of snow turned to ice and crippled the NINTH LARGEST CITY in the United States. People were stuck on the highways for 10 plus hours. No help. Can you imagine being in your car for 12 hours with no food or water? Can you imagine being stranded with nobody to help you? We're not talking about a Third World country. This is Atlanta, Ga! Can you imagine being told "we can't bring your child home and we'll take care of them at the school." Ohhh helllllllll no! I'd ride a bike to go pick up my kids if I had to.

Through the struggle, there were people who stepped up. I am always encouraged at what we can be as a society in the moments of tragedy. People don't tend to see colors or social status. From the guy who helped deliver a baby on the side of I-285 to people like my former teammate, Palmer. He brought snacks to a school bus that was stranded in his neighborhood then allowed them to spend the night in his home instead of on a cold bus. That's what you call "stepping up to the plate." You have to be thankful for people like that who were a blessing to others.

THE FALLOUT

The governor, government officials, the mayor, and the metro school districts failed...miserably. They failed everybody in this city. They weren't prepared. Piss poor planning. You can't be open for business then try to send everybody home at 1:30. By then, you've got snow on the ground and it's a mad dash. The governor and the mayor made matters worse when they got on tv and tried to DEFEND the fact that they messed up. The mayor blamed the governor. The governor blamed the National Weather Service. C'mon son. Don't piss on us then tell us that it's raining. It was a bad PR move. They were trying to make Atlanta not look bad. Too late fellas. There are 6 million people in metro Atlanta but we can't get it right. They both talked about how it wasn't as bad as the ice storm in 2011. I think it was worse. We didn't have people stuck in cars and kids stuck in schools back then. Nevertheless, you can't point fingers. Step up and say..."Hey, I messed up." The mayor believes that Atlanta can host a Super Bowl once the new football stadium is built. Huh? This year's Super Bowl is on Sunday. Can you imagine how it would have been if the Super Bowl was HERE and this happened?


Over the past few days, I've seen alot of people being critical of Atlanta for "not being able to handle 2 inches of snow". In defense of Atlanta, this is not New York, Boston, Philly or Chicago. There are NO snow plows in this city. They treat the roads with salt and sand. That's it. Secondly, the roads turned to ice. I don't care who you are or where you're from...you can't drive on ice. I can drive in the snow. As many of you know, I worked in Minneapolis four years ago. I would work there during the week and fly home to Atlanta on the weekends. I had never driven in snow until I got there. I learned quickly. You could have 18 inches of snow on the ground in Minneapolis and the streets would be clear. Schools and businesses were open. Not only does the city have snow plows but you have tens of thousands of citizens who have snow removal equipment. We don't have that here. So...I will defend Atlanta in that aspect. You can't remove snow if you have nothing to remove it with. And there's no need to put millions of dollars into equipment that you may use every 4 or 5 yrs. But I won't defend Governor Deal or Mayor Reed. They dropped the ball at the 5 yard line. I think the "northerners" who find humor in southerners not being able to "handle snow" should take a moment and think...how would you feel if you or someone you loved was stranded and you couldn't get to them.


Memo to Deal and Reed...today is January 31st. We've probably got another 3 weeks of "winter" left. What are you gonna do the next time that there is a possibility of snow???

end of the road

It's over.

Just like that.

Our football season is over. We lost in the first round of the playoffs. 12-6 in overtime.

While it was tough to lose a heartbreaking game like that, I was proud of the kids. They fought hard until the last play. They were prepared and they played their hearts out. Our coaching staff told them to "leave it all on the field" and they did. The kids were truly a pleasure to coach. It goes without saying that I enjoy coaching my son, Kameron. He started at tight end and cornerback for the team. He even got his first interception last week. Much like most of his teammates, I saw him develop and get better each week. We had so many kids get better from the beginning of the year. As a coach, that's what you want to see. It's not all about wins and losses. It's about watching these young 10 and 11 year olds develop into young men. Wins will come. We won 6 games and loss 3. It wasn't the season that we had expected but it was a good season nonetheless. I'd take all 28 kids and go to a battle with them. I love them just as if they are my own.

The future is uncertain...in particular...my future on the sidelines. Kameron is 11 yrs old but was able to play in our 10 and under league. He could play for the 11 and under team next year or he could play for his middle school. Unlike most of his team, he's already in middle school (6th grade). There are only 3 other kids who are in middle school on our team. We have been able to keep the core of our team together for 6 yrs. We have coached almost all of them since they were 5 yrs old. And our coaching staff has been together for 6 yrs. There are about 15 kids who make up the core. Honestly, some will be back...some won't. Some will move on to middle school football. That includes Kameron. He's expressed his desire to play for his middle school team next year. Will he do it? I'm not sure at this point. He'll make that decision next spring. If he does, then I'm not coaching. My days of coaching will be over. My youngest son, Brandon (who's 6 and under team is still in the playoffs after an 8-0 season), will continue to play if he likes but I have no desire to coach on his team. His coaches have a staff in place and they have been together for a few yrs. I enjoyed coaching with the group of men on our staff. We are close. I couldn't see me coaching with anyone else. There is a bond that extends beyond the football field.

As many of you know, I had major reservations about coaching when I was approached about it 6 yrs ago. I wasn't sure how my knowledge, experience, and love for the game could be translated to a bunch of kids. Football is my first love. I played the game for the love of it. Nothing else. But this ain't 1980. It's a different era. I didn't know if I could do it.

But I did it...and did it well. I won a championship and several divisional championships. More importantly, I was able to give myself and my time to kids. Nobody can put a dollar on how much that is worth. It's going to feel weird to not be at practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6:30. We've been conditioning since the beginning of June and practicing since July 8th. I have free time on my hands now. Is it the end? It could be. I truly won't know until next spring but if it is...I'm ok with it. I'll hang up the whistle with pride and happiness. I'm done.

Unless Skyler plays football...

off tha dome

random thoughts...

was the government really shut down for 2 weeks or was that just a bad dream?

it's getting cooler. fall is here and i love it

i love the weekends because i can overdose on football

the sad part about the government shutdown is that the tea party crew who led the charge will probably get re-elected in 2016

i don't watch it...but is it just me...or has Atlanta become the home of reality ratchet tv

rumors are that Adidas may give Andrew Wiggins a 10 yr, 180M contract after he leaves college despite the fact that he hasn't played ONE minute in the NBA. if you give a kid that kinda money, he may lose the motivation to get better

i wish bank of america would have given me 500k after i graduated from South Carolina State University. i would have just showed up at work just to get the check. forget getting better at my job

Christmas is right around the corner

for somebody who doesn't like to be surprised...i've come to realize that i like surprises.

"I ain't no joke...I used to let the mic smoke..."

Me & Kameron...only two more weeks before our playoffs start. Can't wait!

there is NO WAY IN HELL that republicans will call the health bill Obamacare 3 yrs from now

not a fan of Beyonce...but when Love On Top comes on...

i can't and won't pass judgement on Adrian Peterson for playing in an NFL game just two days after losing his 2 yr old son who was tragically murdered.

bucket list item...learn to play the piano

i tried the new fries at Burger King the other day. not bad at all. but i don't know why they charge an extra 40 cents for them

nothing better than the smell of a tailgate for a football game.

two weeks ago, South Carolina State beat one of our rivals, North Carolina A&T here in the Atlanta Classic. Let me tell you about the weekend...

well...I won't. just know that it was off the chain and i partied like i was a kid. i felt like i was 19 again. i saw old friends and teammates who came in town for the game. by Monday morning, my body reminded me that i'm 40 yrs old.

i've never been to San Francisco but i'd like to go..

i laugh when people say they don't understand the tv show Scandal after watching ONE episode. i wouldn't understand it either. you have to start from the beginning, dummy.

planning a trip to Los Angeles. you wanna come??

the NBA season is right around the corner

if you aren't checking out the 12 RADIO SHOW every Wednesday night, then you are missing out. *shameless self plug*

i'm also hosting a new show. it's called Dead End Sports. Every Tuesday night. Tune in. And check out the website *another shameless self plug*

you can just call the EBT awards...the RAP Cyphers

ladies...you can't have pictures on social media showing off your body and expect a man to take you serious

fellas...get in the habit of thinking beyond today.

i love living in Atlanta. but if i ever move, it'll be to New York with a view like this

Happy Birthday, Kameron

11 years ago today, I became a father for the 2nd time. 

I remember my first thought when I saw him...

"Who's kid is THAT? He can't be mine. He's HUGE!" LOL

He was 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Born on 8-8 (see how I did that??) 

So much time has passed since that day. He is the one child who's personality is most similar to mine. Very intelligent and a thinker. Quiet, calm, and never rattled. He's extremely talented as well

Happy Birthday Kameron! I love you

football is back

And so it begins..

Today at 6:30 pm EST...we're back at it!

We officially start our football season! I'm looking forward to it. I'll be back on the sidelines coaching my son, Kameron. This year we'll be playing in the 10 and under division.

Last year, we finished with 9 wins and 2 losses. We made it to the championship game only to lose to a team that we had beaten earlier in the season. I look forward to the challenges that come with coaching. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't interested in coaching when I first started. I was a player. I put everything into playing every game like it was my last. I had a passion for the game. My first love.

How do you coach someone to do THAT?

You can't. You accept the kids for who they are. While it has been a pleasure coaching Kameron...and now watching his younger brother, Brandon (he plays for the 6 and under team)...I know that no kid can be the player that you were. You can only hope that they develop skills and a love for the game. The rest will take care of itself.

As a team we have some unfinished business to take care of. It hurt to get to the championship game and lose. The tough thing about sports is that you can't just pick up where the previous season ended. It doesn't work that way. The hard work, blood, sweat, and tears start all over again.

So how do you bounce back and get back to the championship game and win it all??

Check back with me in November and I'll tell you how we did it!

hey coach

It came and went.

*snaps fingers* Just like that.

The football season for my team came and went just like that.

As many of you know, I coach my son, Kameron's 8 and under youth football team. I've coached them for the past 4 yrs. We finished this season with a 7-3 record. We lost in the semi-final round of the playoffs. As I reflect on the season that we had, I can only smile. We've been working with the kids since mid MAY. I am extremely proud of the kids. They worked hard and did EVERYTHING that we asked them to do.

Coaching these kids have been very rewarding to me on a personal level. As I told the parents after the last game, it's all about watching the kids get better and developing as young men ON and OFF the field. I've watched the kids get better each week. I've watched their personalities come to life. While it's not always easy to keep the attention of 7 & 8 yr old, I coached a great bunch of kids. Our season started in the sweltering heat of May as we did conditioning and agility drills. Then our practices started in July. Unfortunately, the season ended on a brisk November afternoon. Nevertheless, I enjoyed every minute of it. Not only do I get a chance to coach the game that I love, but I also get a chance to help mold young men. I also enjoyed watching Kameron develop as a player. He started on offense at tight end and on defense at cornerback. It's been interesting to see him develop his confidence on the field.

As a coaching staff, we made sure that the kids perform well at school as well. If a kid gets out of line at school or at home, they were disciplined at practice. They hated it but they know that we don't play. Each kid had to regularly bring their report cards to practice. We wanted to monitor their progress in school. Sometimes we would randomly show up at their schools just to make sure they were "in line". We were hard on them...but they all delivered. Now we are faced with an off season. It feels strange not to go to practice after work. It feels even stranger to wake up on a Saturday and not have a game or practice. We've been doing this since July so I'm definitely missing the game and the kids.

There's always next year


*team chant before/after practices and games*

All we got
All the time
All out
All game
All season
Blood, Sweat, Tears
Yours not ours
In God we Trust
Defeat all others
SHUT EM DOWN!!!