Amid The Storm, A Calming Brees
In a season beset by multiple controversies, Drew Brees hugging his kids as millions watched was exactly what the NFL needed.
Earlier this week, Saints quarterback Drew Brees set the NFL record for passing yards in front of a nationwide Monday Night Football audience. And amid the massive celebration, among the bright lights and a frenzied sellout crowd, he found his wide-open target: the arms of his children. The hugs set records, too.
Let’s face it, the league has issues.
Just recently, on the stage of Dad 2.018 in New Orleans, Ronnie Lott (seen above) suggested that if he had to do it all again, he wouldn’t want his son Ryan Nece to play football. Nece, an all-conference linebacker at UCLA who played six years in the pros, sat next to him and nodded.
Parents are afraid, rightfully so, of the injuries that haunt players and dismayed by the politics that besiege the sport. Granted, the NFL is making progress in addressing the former, but in regard to the latter they’ve only stood still. And while charitable causes are heartily embraced, social issues are facing massive headwinds.
If we all want the same thing — namely, better safety and more support for the game and its players — then where is that common ground? What, early in this current season, can bring families back, reassured and hopeful?
Drew Brees, in the midst of one of the biggest moments of his remarkable career, kneeling on the sidelines with his children tight upon his pads, seems like a pretty good place to start.
SUMMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
IN THE NEWS
When it comes to the news (fake, real or otherwise), our kids may hear about it a lot faster than we do.
There are several reasons kids may choose their own company over that of their playground peers, and while some may be cause for concern, there are plenty that are healthy and happy.
Turns out “feeding style” doesn’t (just) mean a blinged-out bib. How tightly run is your ship’s galley?
What’s more masculine than being a loving father?”
“As for what to expect from active little boys, our culture loves to think that boys and girls are opposite, but their brains are not as different as people imagine.”
“Parents ultimately have no choice but to lead by example if they don’t want to raise a hypocrite.”
“Do as I say, not as I do” is fairly flawed for many reasons, but parents not following their own financial advice may be the most costly.
Having trouble finding screen time rules that work for your family? Here are some options with proven results.
Mommy and Daddy Sharks, please keep your fins on the wheel!
PORCHLIGHT POSTS
“With volunteering for different kids’ activities, I have actually completed three background checks this year alone. I’ll show them to you.” — Shannon Carpenter, It’s Okay To Talk To the Dad at Story Hour
“When children reach elementary school age, having the whole family do volunteer work together can be an effective way to build empathy as well as strengthen family bonds.” — Vincent O’Keefe, Help Children Combat Selfie Culture Through Volunteer Work
“The crowd cheers in response, drinking in his charisma as if it has been forty years in the desert and he is the land of milk and honey. I’d rather stay thirsty, I can’t help thinking.” — Aaron Yavelberg, How To Be A Man In Scary Times
“A good dad, a woke dad, alive in the late stages of a most foul year would (should?) be holding frank conversations with his daughters on the regular. I am, however, for the most part, not.” — Jeff Bogle, Kind Of Avoiding It
“Self-care or even ‘self-love’ isn’t frivolously egotistical, it’s a necessity for being a healthy and functional person.” — James R.C. Smith, Why I Never Understood Self-Care
‘GRAM OF THE WEEK
Do you receive the Dad 2.0 Summit Newsletter? You should! In it we share all kinds of information and news about the Dad 2.0 Summit. Add it to your inbox! It’s the perfect way to start planning your trip to San Antonio.
Share your traditions of fatherhood news or stories that you would like to share you can find us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Snapchat using the #FOF hashtag!
Originally published at www.dad2summit.com on October 12, 2018.
