PODCAST: how young is too young???

On this week's episode, we celebrate the 100th episode of the 12kyle Podcast!!!

More importantly, we ask the questions, how young is too young...to get married, to drink, & to have sex. Listen and let me know what you think

You can LISTEN, SHARE, AND SUBSCRIBE to The 12Kyle Podcast here...

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Shout out to Tactless Podcast, We Did That S#!+ Podcast, and Bak Talk Media Podcast

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!

Back in Tha Day Vol 5 (Childhood Memories) 12 RADIO SHOW

Tune in to the 12 Radio Show tonight at 9 pm EST

Tonight's show will be co-hosted by Mindful Naked

TOPIC - Back in Tha Day vol 5 (Childhood Memories). Join us as we discuss some of the best childhood memories. It doesn't matter if you grew up in the 70s, 80s, or 90s...you will relate to this show. Don't miss it

(347)215-7162

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle

you are the FATHER...NOT the baby daddy

I think I must've went insane
Thinking I was in love, but really in chains
Trapped to this girl through the two-year old who carried my name
I tried to stop tripping
But yo, I couldn't and the plot thickened
That shit affected me, largely
Because I know a lot of people want me
To fail as a father
And the thought of that haunts me
Especially when I check my rear-view mirror
And don't see him in his car seat
So the next time it's late at night
and I'm laid up with the woman I'mma make my wife
talking 'bout how we 'gon make a life
I'm thinking about child support, alimony, visitation rights
Cause that's the only outcome if you can't make it right
Pissed off with your children feeling the same pain
So, Pop, how could I blame cause you couldn't maintain
I did the same thing
The same thing...(Phonte from Little Brother "All for You")

Me and my homeboys have a LOT in common. Far beyond our tastes in women, music, and sports we share a lot of similarities.

I've noticed one thing that me and all my closest male friends have in common...we ALL have fathers who have played a significant role in our lives. Not some of my friends. ALL. That says alot about those men. Their influence have made us the men that we are today.

By society's standards, we are all successful, progressive, young black men. If you ask any of them, they will tell you that their father was the definition of a man. This is not to say that our mothers weren't there...because they were. I'm a firm believer that a woman can raise a young man and show him how to become a productive citizen. But only a man can teach a boy how to become a man. I feel fortunate and blessed that I have a father who showed me the way and I feel fortunate that my homies have too. Every one is not as fortunate. I don't take that for granted. I think that if a young boy doesn't have a father in his life then he needs a father figure in his life. That could be an uncle, older brother, teacher, mentor, or coach. It's very critical in a young boy's life to have that interaction with a male with whom he loves and respects. As the father of 3 sons, I feel that I have to be the man that they learn from. Being a father is the most rewarding and important job that I'll ever have. It's a job that I enjoy but I take very seriously. I can't make them into a miniature 12kyle. But I can show them how to become a man and how to make it in this world.

As men, we have to get beyond the point of leaving our sons to fend for themselves in this cold world. Is your child supposed to suffer because you are no longer with his mother? Is it smart to neglect your son because you are no longer sleeping with his mother? As men, we have to do better. Our sons need us. More importantly, our sons watch our moves. If we don't show them them the right way...they will be destined to follow in our footsteps.

Hey Coach!

"Hey Coach"

I never get tired of hearing those words.

I actually missed hearing them.

As many of you know, I have coached my son, Kameron, for the last 5 yrs. This past football season, our team (9 and under) finished off a great season. We had a season where we won 9 games and lost 2. We won our division and made it to our league championship game. Unfortunately, we didn't win the game. We lost to a team that we had beaten 22-0 a month earlier. On this day, we lost 20-8. To be honest, I had a hard time remembering the score of the game that day. I was too hurt to look at the scoreboard. We just didn't show up to play that day. We didn't play our game. And it cost us.

Losing that day hurt. I can't lie. As a coach, you hate to lose but you REALLY hate to lose to a team that you KNOW that you were better than. We just weren't better than them that day. And that's not to take anything from them. They beat us and i tip my hat to them. But I'm sure that THEY will tell you that we were the better team. Nevertheless, it hurt to walk off the field that day. I remember walking into our team circle and seeing all of the kids on our team crying. I looked for Kameron. He was in the middle of the circle. He was crying like a baby. I was blown away because Kameron is not emotional. He's very even keeled. Calm. Much like his father. Seeing him crying almost made ME cry!!! As passionate as I've always been about football, I've only had 2 games that brought me to tears. One in high school and one in college. On this day, I held back the tears...cleared my throat and spoke to the kids. I told them that I was proud of them. I said "Sometimes in life you work hard and still come up short. But that makes you work harder the NEXT time."

I remember walking off the field with Kameron and someone said "we'll be back next year." That's true...but it takes a lot to get back. The unfortunate thing about sports is that you can't pick up where you left off from the previous season. You have to start all over. We will start over. We will be back.

Last Saturday, we had our team banquet at Georgia Tech. This was our first time together for since that championship game. It was fun seeing the kids again. I missed those lil dudes. It was also good to see the coaching staff. We have a great staff. No egos. We enjoy coaching and we enjoy being around each other. During the season, we send emails and text msgs and have meetings daily about our team. The banquet was a lot of fun. It's always good to seeing little boys dressed up in suits. This collection of kids, coaches, and their parents is more than a team. We are a family. I look forward to the practices in 90 degree weather. I look forward to starting from square one. I look forward to see what Kameron does next year. This past season, he started at tight end and cornerback. He played well all year. He even surprised me with his ability to catch the ball (you know where he got that from). I look forward to being with my family.

I look forward to stepping on the practice field and hearing those 2 words...

Hey Coach!

whatisee

Funny thing happened to me yesterday

I was in the local CVS (pharmacy) and I was waiting in the line so that I could purchase my chewing gum.

There was a gray haired, elderly white woman who was purchasing a few items. She was having a conversation with the cashier. Once she had made her purchase, she seemed to be struggling with the multiple bags that she had as she walked toward the door.

There was a young black man who was standing near the door. The dude was about 19 yrs old. He had his hat turned to the back, saggy pants, and both arms were covered with tattoos. At first glance, he looked like he could pass for a wannabe rapper. With the gold teeth in his mouth, he fit just about every stereotype that you could think of.

As the old white woman walked closer toward the door. He walked towards her. His eyes were fixed on her and the bags in her hand.

Was he gonna rob this old lady and run?

The black kid open his mouth and said...

"Hello ma'am. Do you need some help with your bags? Let me take them to your car."

The woman didn't flinch. She handed the bags to him. He took them and then opened the door for her.

I watched from inside the store as they walked to her car and he placed them in her car. She thanked him. He took off his hat as if to say "you're welcome". He pulled up his saggy pants and walked away as she drove off.

That scene that I had just witnessed reminded me of something that I had learned...never judge people. Let them show you who they are before you formulate an opinion about them.

(RIP Trayvon Martin)