Why I play football? This question took a couple of weeks to wrap my head around. There are plenty of reasons, though the one that sticks out is brotherhood. Throughout my 11 years of playing football, I have been given many excuses and opportunities to give it up, whether it was something I’d rather do or an injury, I have always fallen back on brotherhood. 

There is brotherhood on every team, organization, and friend group out there, but I have yet to find one that is on the level of football. During a traditional high school football season, there are three main weather types. First, we have the 100-plus degree heat, then the pouring rain and mud, and finally, we wrap it up in subfreezing temperatures in the snow. So why do I bring up weather conditions in a talk about brotherhood? There is something different about being in a huddle with 11 guys when you are in pain and discomfort from the hot, the cold, and the wet. The bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes that all pile up that game until you are at the end of the fourth quarter looking a your quarterback. Your leader, your brother, the one who was tasked to do any and everything in his power to be ready for whatever is about to happen. Then you look left and right, you see your guards, then your tackles, the tight end, receivers, and running backs all leaning on the pillar of brotherhood to keep them pushing till there is no more pushing. There is something different about the type of work and suffering you all go through that bonds you to one another. Looking over, I see my brothers fighting and giving everything they have every play. That is what makes me want to fight and give everything I have every snap. 

Year after year, I get to walk out on that field with my brothers, some may be new brothers, and some may have gone on and graduated, but we remember all the memories with all of our brothers every time that we button up that helmet. And that is what is different about Reardan football.  Every player, from the beginning of their time playing to their last snap as an Indian or Screaming Eagle, is a brother. This is why I play football, not for myself, not for the wins and losses, but for everyone who came before me and for everyone who comes after me. 

• Levi Collier,

Reardan Football Senior

Why would anyone choose to risk injury, get up early and work incredibly hard, and wake up sore six days a week for a game? Why give up evenings, weekends, or otherwise free time? Why give up earning money or spending time focusing on homework- for something as demanding  of your time, and as physically taxing as football?

Because this is much, much more than a game.

It's the proving ground. 

How many times do you have to watch the people around you pay for your mistakes before you realize- "I will do whatever it takes to make sure YOU are successful?"

Let me be clear- this is not the only way, but so many young men miss the opportunity to get a head start on the path to becoming dependable and capable men. This is where every single day builds discipline and character, and every missed tackle, missed block, or mental mistake turns into a powerful lesson in accountability. If you don't get your job done, the people around you fail- not just you. What is more representative of adult life than that??

It is exactly this lesson in a your life that can make the difference as you mature. Football teaches you that your life isn't just about you. It's about doing everything in your power to make those around you successful- on the field, in the classroom, and at home- every rep, everywhere, every day.  

So yeah, “why play football?”

Because a fulfilling life demands that we be selfless, dependable, and flat out tough... 

And nothing teaches this like football. 

-Coach Morgan