One last question?

One of my favorite fictional characters is Lt Colombo- the rumpled yet wise detective played by Peter Falk. This disheveled character was always underestimated until he was about to turn from a suspect interview. Then, he would slowly turn around and attack with his famous words: "One last question..." This final question, is always the final word of the case, and would expose the guilty party.

If you had a one last question for an AYF organization, what would it be? Perhaps, how did your teams place in the National Championships? Or, how many NFL Players did you coach as youth? If I were to ask that "one last revealing question" I would ask, " What values have those youth who participated in your organization learned?" The winning answer would be preparation, teamwork, courage, and even perseverance.  Remember to always challenge your own organization to one last question. Did your kids learn to care about each other? Did they learn to stand for something positive? Did they learn to tough it out when they hit a hurdle or made a mistake? If they did learn these values, I'll bet it was because of the example you and your exemplary adults set for them.

The school shootings that occurred last week in Chardon, Ohio were particularly poignant for me. Chardon, Ohio is a pleasant little colonial town in the Western Reserve, just miles from my home town. Chardon is not the place where you would expect a school shooting. But rather, this is a place, like most communities in Ohio, chock full of leaders who hone their youth through playing the great game of football. The schools in this environment, took the precautions like all other safe neighborhoods, and they conducted emergency drills for that "just in case incident." Hatred from bullies was never tolerated in this school. Today, the details are non-conclusive, the shooter was not from this school, but an intruder and a loser who angrily entered the school with a gun. Shots rang out and the emergency procedure cleared the classrooms. The shooting started in the Cafeteria and the adult in charge was a man named Frank Hall. Instead of fleeing from the danger, Big Frank acted with bravery and charged for the shooter. The shooter ceased fire and ran from the building. In the aftermath of the event, Big Frank said, "I am not a hero, I'm just a football coach and study hall teacher."  Because of the unwavering courage, and precautionary preparation that this school took, many lives were saved. 

This is the time of year when I am humbled by the good work of our AYF/AYC Leaders across the country. Proudly I state that every single one of the eight AYF Regions has reported continued growth. All of your recruiting efforts motivate me to better serve the best people I know.

One last question... "Is there any thing more important than helping kids?"