Candy A. Westbrook

Candy A. Westbrook - Author, Columnist, Speaker, Football Mom

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus … who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJ).
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For Love of the Game

January 16, 2020 by Candy A. Westbrook

Dear Football Mom,

Can you tell me why the college players bust their tails to make it to playoff games? I did some looking and found they don’t get paid the big bucks like the pros do. In fact, they don’t get paid at all. What they do get is a ring they can wear and a trophy that goes to their school and yeah, bragging rights that only last until next year. Why would anybody in their right mind (and these players are still kids, mind you) break all sorts of bones, put their bodies through torture, sustain injury after injury (which can affect them the rest of their lives) just to have a shot at the National Championship? That is pure crazy!

Dear Reader,

Crazy or not, this is the stuff kids playing college football dream of. My sweet darlings, life itself is chance—why not, make it significate? I mean, if ya gonna break something, like records or bones, then by golly, make it count!

I almost passed on this question. I thought you were joking. Then I realized if you feel this way and you are reading my column, then by garsh darn, I have an obligation to answer, and maybe you’re not joking. Our column has a wide range of readers and not all are football fans, but most all are parents. Maybe there are others who have these same questions and feel the way you do.

If I had to guess, you are probably an E.R. nurse or perhaps in the healthcare field in some capacity and have treated your fair share of football-related injuries. Maybe you are a mom of an injured player. Either way, surely you cannot be, must have never been, a football fan. But since I have encouraged y’all to ask me anything, it’s only right that I tackle this question best I can.

There is an intangible element to this football gig thang. It’s in the heart of every player who gives a rip about his team, and I’m not so sure it can be fully explained. I think it must be something like our military men and women have deep within their souls. To be part of something larger than yourself requires selfless acts of sacrifice, tireless hours of commitment, and of course, the never-ending exhaustion of determination, and that’s what football players do. They sacrifice themselves for their teams.

Thinking little or nothing of yourself leads to great and powerful stuff when applied with an unshaken, outrageous confidence football related or not. Not a cocky attitude, but a quiet grace. Just like our troops going into battle for our country with an orchestrated plan of attack and poise.

Some will argue that it is the historical tradition of certain colleges that drives players to greatness and winning seasons. Or that new head coach just hired has all the marbles lined up just right. But trust me, it goes so much deeper than that.

Put all the blabbing, the cheering, the pompous bloviating of the faithful fans and boosters together, and a body can even throw money at a program to boot. Add it all together, it still wouldn’t define or give players that intangible desire to compete regardless of the price they pay on the wear and tear of their bodies. They ignore pain and push beyond any ordinary limits. And that right there, produces extraordinary accomplishments. But of course, it goes further than that.

They bust their tails because they don’t get paid. College players do it purely because of their love for the game. The intangible, which clearly can’t be fully defined, defines the rise of those who play like legends! 

     

Filed Under: braggin' rights, football, Football Mom Column, football players, sons

Beyond the Lights: Questions following the Tamron Hall Show

November 8, 2019 by Candy A. Westbrook

Dear Football Mom,

We saw you on the Tamron Hall Show talking about the pay to play passing in California for college athletes and we have two questions: What were you talking about with the “worms” being “slippery little devils,” and what did you mean about playing for the love of the game? Our son is a junior in high school playing football, and college recruiters are showing interest. What is wrong with football players or any student athlete getting paid?

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for watching and for these fantastic follow up questions, bringing more attention to this ruling. The devil, as the cliché goes, is in the details. My game plan options and opinions went kapowee. The clock ran out in that segment before I had a chance to throw the ball. Not promising a touchdown, but …

The worm reference has gotten a lot of buzz. Hopefully, this will bring a pinch of clarity for everyone reading our column. Then again, sometimes I’m clear as mud.

It was my way of explaining, in a saucy comedic way, the fact that this law is not yet in play, and there is still time to reverse such a reckless ruling. After it’s implemented, it will be harder to put a cap on the can of worms as they bury themselves in the ground or scoot off into oblivion. They are slippery little devils and hard to catch wiggling everywhere like they’d just got bit by red aunts. I reckon this law will be harder to pull back once it goes into effect. Hence the worm analogy. It’s easier to keep the lid on the can of worms instead of frantically running after them, chasing them back into the can when they’ve got a good head start.

This little ruling will only wreak havoc later down the road and create that hotdog mentality. It will allow commercial companies to seek endorsements for their products, paying players for their John Henry (signatures), and that’s code for some players to bring attention to themselves so the spotlight shines on them, giving the products, they represent free publicity. The ruse of the players, encouraged by the commercial companies, to hotdog brings in more money and profit when showing out on televised games. This translates to bulging bank accounts for those few players. Duhh. No team about it at all.

The effect will be mind-blowing all right. Decision makers such as chancellors, deans, or presidents of universities could bury their heads, I suppose, for kickbacks (see how money makes everybody involved gamble and goofy). Then try finding an authentic athletic director, one who isn’t willing to turn a blind eye receiving payment from sports companies for, let’s say, unrestrained access to their athletes. Or head coaches or assistants. Or for that matter, recruiting players whose heart’s desire is pure and plays for the love the game.

As if recruiting isn’t hard enough, now players are going on the chopping block to the highest bidder. No longer will recruiters find players who feel it a privilege to receive a scholarship offer. They’ll want that fat paycheck to boot. Prep players may demand to be hooked up with companies for endorsements, or wage bets on how much said college program will dole out for a player’s percentage of jersey sales. I suppose too, talent level will drop.     

You might as well go ahead and throw the word “team” in the trash. It will no longer be the game we all cheer and root for. Talk about a scam… have mercy! This makes recruiting cheating scandals look like child’s play in a sand box.

Now, I will share the fact that yes, there is a need for pocket change so players can buy toothpaste and shaving cream. If the programs themselves paid players a small amount of cash per week or whatever, then fine. Have you ever seen the “adult” pro players—who do get paid enormous bucks—handle money wisely? It’s rare, so how the heck do you think kids will handle it? It’s sure to be the best booze bonus going. Just what college coaches need, more watchful oversights. Those poor ol boys won’t know if they’re coming, or going, or already been there!

And by the way, the players are getting paid. They are receiving a free … that is FREE … education, study hall assistance, free tutors at their disposal, free books, free meals, free lodging, and even free medical care. Besides all of that, those who really need financial assistance can apply for something called pale grants. Also FREE money.

This is college football, not pro football. Graduate, get a job, form a career, create your own wealth with your free education. Honestly, don’t y’all think that should be the ultimate goal for any student athlete? Graduate college.

Filed Under: braggin' rights, college football recruiting, college recruiting, football, Football Mom Column, football players, football season, high school football, Pay to Play, teamwork

Strike Up the Band – Grab the Spirit Slogans

August 9, 2012 by Candy A. Westbrook

Friday Night Football Begins Soon! Are you ready? Come on y’all, break out the pom-poms and shakers, and go support your local high school team, even if you don’t personally know one player!

As you might guess, I’m a strong advocate of supporting the hometown teams. After all, high school football is not only as exciting as some college teams but what a way to stretch your entertainment dollars! Where else is the action so packed for so little cost? So, hop-on up to your favorite nesting site in the bleachers and get ready to cheer! Don’t forget to pass the hot dogs!

There’s honestly nothing quite as savory as biting into a big juicy hot dog in the stands and rooting for the home team on a cool fall evening! Especially for those of you who have sons participating on Friday nights, I imagine many of you are wondering if it’s all worth it. All the blood, sweat, and anguish you’ve seen your son go through, not to mention the parents’ booster club fees. (It takes a lot to run high school football programs.)

The players have practiced through the miserable heat. All summer long, they’ve been faithful to their best love in the entire world ~ the weight room! They’ve done so many reps by now they can execute and perform them in their sleep! The players are ready. The coaches are ready. The cheerleaders are ready. The fans are pumped. But, what about the mamas of seniors? Are they ready? Are they ready to watch their sons play the last season of football?

I’ve been in your shoes, assuming you wear high heels, and I know what it’s like to see the last high school season slip away right before your eyes. Of course, we want our sons to go on with their lives, attend college, build their own careers, live productively, and not be a bunch of bums. But, I’ll tell you right now, I didn’t want to see those high school years end. No sir, not this mama! Many mamas, I guess, can’t wait for their kids to get out of the house and leave for college. Well, that wasn’t me!

High school football is the last stop for the games’ innocence. Once a player graduates and leaves the ole alma mater for another field, their lives change completely. And so does yours. Some purdy big surprises are on the horizon once your son leaves your nest. Some of which have nothing to do with football at all. College football really is a whole new ball game on many levels.

But as for right now, if your son is playing high school football, I’d love to hear from you! Join me for a round of braggin rights and let me know about your stand-out player in the comments. Tell us the name of your son, his position, his school, and his stats – and anything else about his football career you wish to share. If we get several, we may post some of the comments in a later post.

We’ll come back to the question of whether or not mamas are ready to send sons off, the conflicting emotions and what some of your suggestions are on how to cope with this last senior season.

Let’s get ready for some FOOTBALL! GO TEAM!

Filed Under: braggin' rights, football season, high school football, senior year

About Candy

Candy A. Westbrook is a writer, newspaper columnist, and speaker whose passion lingers on the football field. She inspires families of all sports, but at her heart is her love for those boys of fall.

Helmet Kisses – The Heart Behind The Gridiron

Candy is working hard on her football memoir, Helmet Kisses. Make sure to watch for news and sign up for Candy’s newsletter so you never miss an update!

Helmet Kisses - The Heart Behind The Gridiron

About Candy

Candy A. Westbrook is a writer, newspaper columnist, and speaker whose passion lingers on the football field. She inspires families of all sports, but at her heart is her love for those boys of fall. College football recruiting can leave parents dangling on a zipline indefinitely and need someone on the other side who gets it. She inspires parents to go the distance because, “the topic may be football, but the real subject is life.”

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