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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When the Going Gets Tough, Will You Get Going?

November 26, 2018 by Candy A. Westbrook

Dear Football Mom,

How do you help your son cope when he was carried off the field on a stretcher during the game playoffs last Friday night? He’s in the hospital with a broken ankle and will have surgery soon. He is so angry that he won’t be able to play for the region championship. He’s a wide receiver and has broken several school records this season. We are not a religious family, but I’ve read that you are. Would you pray for us? I’m afraid of what this is doing to his usual positive personality. 

Dear Reader,

Oh, my stars, I am so sorry y’all are going through this trial. The truth is I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how hard it is, scary even, to see your child in pain and facing surgery. As moms, we are sometimes at a loss of how to help our children through this kind of adversity without becoming uptight, anxious, and full-blown frantic ourselves. Of course, I’ll pray for y’all, and all the other boys of fall who have taken a hit this year. As much fun as football is, it’s never fun to get laid up with injuries. But injuries don’t have to stop a player’s determination. In fact, it will reveal it.

Once rehab kicks in, it will be totally up to him as to his recovery. How determined will his willpower be in working through the pain? This is when the winner or whiner in him will come out. It is true. I tell you no lie. But as a mom of faith, I can tell you that leaning on the Lord is the best medicine, rehab, or recovery plan available.

That said, my best suggestion would be to start a game plan now. It is never good for an active athlete to while away the hours and get all bubble-headed. While he recovers from surgery, I would recommend reading a couple of books that might shine a light and help him through the downtime. You may even want to read out loud to him in the hospital. You’d be surprised how effective that is to get his mind off himself and that doggone injury. 

My picks for reading are Never Shut Up by Marcellus Wiley or Shaken by Tim Tebow. Once home, your whole family may enjoy films like, My All American. That film would be my first choice. It’s an awesome story about a player who never gave up for the Texas Longhorns and head coach legend, Darrell Royal. It could bring a tear—it is a true story. He might also enjoy Touchback, another great story, but he may not appreciate the significance of the film until later. Of course, good ole Rudy, and Facing the Giants is really good too, it starts off slow, but you’ll be drawn in, in more ways than one.

Keeping a timely curfew and getting plenty of rest and h2o (water) is huge. No goofing off and being stupid. He’ll be behind with schoolwork anyhow, so keeping a regimen and a schedule is always a good idea. Keep any doctor appointments.

Make sure he eats healthy—green veggies, real food, meat, fish, and milk. And keep that boy off his foot as much as possible. In other words … no cape flying, no Superman stunts! Stay on the crutches when mobile, no weight bearing for a few weeks. Listen to the doc and after release—rehab, rehab, rehab.

I have no doubt this trial will turn for good at some point for your family, and y’all will come out even stronger than you ever thought possible. So will your son.


Dear Football Mom,

Our son wants to give up football after being benched most of the year. He has potential but no confidence. Next year he’ll be a sophomore in high school. It is the only sport he plays, and he really does love it. What can we do to increase his confidence?

Dear Reader,

What if Babe Ruth pulled out and didn’t show up after 1,330 strikeouts? What if Peyton Manning—who once had a speech impediment and was born with cleft palate—quit the position of quarterback, afraid to call the plays or counts because he wouldn’t be understood? What if Michael Jordon quit basketball after failing to make his high school basketball team as a sophomore.

These were all ordinary people who hung in, stuck to it, and came out on top with extraordinary results because they failed to give up. Of course, my stance has always been that it is more harmful to force kids to play. Football players have to want to play the game and make up their own minds to do so. However, not playing could put his confidence meter in a corner for a very long time.

Small success lead to bigger success, but ya gotta put yourself out there. Maybe he is great at math or loves science. Or, can run fast. The point is, find something that he likes, is good at and build on that. Small encouragement matters.

As for the confidence of your son, the little imp lie of “the comparison trap” might be more at play than you think. But hey, honestly, if he was a freshman on a varsity team, that’s purdy awesome right there, even if he did warm the bench. He still practiced, worked out, and helped his team, perhaps more than he knows.

Besides, you can learn a lot from the bench. But ya gotta pay attention. Take full advantage of the bench view, watch the game, the coaches, mark down mental notes, then who knows … he could be the guy with the red nose who’s called upon because of his rare talent—and leads his team to victory.

Filed Under: Football Mom Column, football players, football season, God, high school football, leadership, quitting, self-esteem Tagged With: Injury

Should Boys Play PeeWee Football?

August 7, 2012 by Candy A. Westbrook

This question is sure to be debated till the end of time. Why, I’m almost sure of it! What’s the real score here? Or, in this case my honest, mama-to-mama opinion?

I’ve heard it all… from, “little boys” bones aren’t quite formed enough to break easily, so they can go at-it without too much injury.” To, “ah, it ain’t gonna hurt em, it’s good for a boy to get ruffed up and knock heads.” Just between you and me ~ neither of these statements is very accurate.

First of all, knocking heads isn’t the way to go. Wasn’t there a band by that name back in the 80’s? Little helmets should be upright, eyes looking straight at the opposition team. (They’re too young yet, to intimidate eye to eye. If you can get them running in the right direction, then hey, you’re doin purdy good!) But, bad habits can form, from the commands to, “knock heads.” Kids do not need to bend their necks, lower their heads and hit! That’s no way to play, much less teach technique. Second, even children who are infants can break bones. In my ER days, I saw my share of broken bones in toddlers and babies.

Here are a few suggestions if you are seriously going to sign your son up for peewee:

  • Make sure your son is the one who wants to play. Even if you signed him up just to introduce him to the sport, make sure he understands that after he is on the team and plays his first game, there is no quitting. However, if at practice before the first game, it’s clear that he doesn’t want to play, then that’s the time to pull him out. If you wait until after the first game, I believe it breeds a… “can quit anytime attitude.” Next year, if he doesn’t want to play, don’t try to force him. Let it be his decision. The first year is always the gauge and it doesn’t mean he should play every year from then on. Nothing wrong with taking a break.
  • If your son has extra energy, peewee football is a great place to channel that liveliness. Better to be tackling dummies at practice, than tackling that new sofa in the living room!
  • Peewee football is a great place to begin teaching little fellas the art of teamwork. The ability to view themselves as part of something big, like a team, is an invaluable lesson.
  • Peewee football will build his self-esteem. It can add to his since of accomplishment even if he’s the slowest little guy on the team.
  • Make sure if possible, that at least one of the coaches coaching your sons’ peewee team did play the sport, at least in middle school, at best on the high school level, even better ~ college. It’s hard to teach something like proper technique if you’ve never played.
  • Make sure the equipment is in good condition with no cracked helmets. Pads bendable and squashy with a little give. A new pair of cleats that fit snug, whatever brand and style your youth club is recommending.
  • Most importantly, let him have fun! And parents, remember, its peewee ~ sportsmanship is taught through your example!

Filed Under: football gear, peewee football, self-esteem

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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