Last year, some anonymous wannabe decided to post the "Wall of Shame" in hopes of peer-pressuring teams into fixing what was wrong. While most of the posts were very valid, I felt like it was a bit one-sided and wanted to bring to light some of the good things the RMFL does. While we don't pretend to be the United Way (or even the NFL supporting the United Way), many of our teams are doing great things on and off the field.
If you witnessed something good or right this past weekend in the RMFL, please feel free to share it here. I'll get the ball rolling with two things I am aware of...
First, we had the opportunity to play the Utah Stealth at their homefield at Taylorsville High. Jason Hermanson & Chris Eyring reached out to us Saturday morning to let us know they would have an honorary captain at the coin toss--a boy named Grady who had been a victim of bullying. Chris had seen his story on facebook (you can check out his story and see the pictures from the game on his page "Stand with Grady"). Anyways, not only did he get to come out for the coin toss, he also received a football autographed by the entire Stealth team. But, the highlight for me, was watching him kneel down between Chris & I during the team prayer at the end of the game; seeing how true men battle on the field, and then come together as brothers to give thanks. It was awesome and something I'll remember for a long time.
Second, The Idaho Falls Mustangs did a youth football camp back on March 21st for the kids in the Idaho Falls area. I only know what I saw on FB (and that was a bunch of 8-14 year old kids mobbing Mustangs players and wearing "Mustangs Football Camp" tee shirts). I believe it was part of the Wounded Warrior project the Mustangs support so emphatically--maybe someone from their organization could add more color.
Anyways, these are just a couple things that I am aware of; I'm guessing there are more. They don't have to be big things--even the small and simple things like family or friends playing the game together, players that have fought back from injury, etc. This year at the league meeting, I shared the following quote:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” --Teddy Roosevelt
Its easy to critisize the RMFL. It's easy to critisize what we do as players. People who have never played in the RMFL simply don't get it. We don't try to pretend we're something we're not. BUT, to all the players and GMs out there putting in the work to make each team better (and consequently the league as a whole better), thank you! Each of you are the man who is actually in the arena, and the only opinions that matter. Thanks for all you do!
-- Edited by Bradthurber on Monday 6th of April 2015 08:16:11 AM
The Podcast is also teaming up with teams for our remote recordings. We will be doing a canned food drive for the South Central Community Action with the Magic Valley Bulldawgs and Utah Shock. Whoever brings the most items, wins one of our giveaways.
We are working with the other teams that we will be on site for to create something positive for the community.
It's all about that perspective Jess. Thanks for keeping it positive. I like to read about good things that are happening and supporting the RMFL for those positive causes. Keep shining the light on the good things in life!
The Idaho Mustangs youth camp was spectacular! When the Bulldawgs showed up for our preseason game vs Mustangs, I estimated 300 kids participating! I thought the organization of the camp and the turnout of the camp was awesome! After the game both teams had guys go to Stop Light Pizza, and support the Wounded Warriors project there as well. Kudos to the Mustangs!!
Darrell, I gotta add to that....Kyto and "The Shock" have been doing that promotion since I have been there way back in 2008. Its the little things...that go unnoticed that undoubtedly affect more then just us Weekend Warriors. My hats off to everyone in the RMFL tat promotes such kinds of growth inside and out of the league...
#FrustratedSideLinedKicker
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Any incorrect grammar, spelling, or inproper use of verbiage, shall be blamed on my iPhone not me!
Stop living in the past, Bryce. Like the luscious Janet (Miss Jackson, if you're nasty) says... "What have you done for me lately?"
Seriously... to your point, I remember a couple of teams (Shock and Rev come to mind... maybe it wasn't Rev... I'm old) coordinating and hosting fundaraising activities like plate dinners to help ditressed families that suffered losses. This IS what's right with the league and it's not even about the LEAGUE. It's about recognizing the bond most of us have, even if it is for a few days per month for a few months out of the year (levels of involvement and commitment vary), and picking each other up. Yes, it reflects well upon the league when each little cross-section unites as family but that's a by-product from doing the HUMAN thing.
Not riding Utah teams' jocks either... I see/read about RMFL teams from all over doing stuff for the community. Example: I thought Laurel's tribute to veterans was awesome... as a vet, it was moving and much appreciated to see and as a player, I was happy to see how well it reflected on all of the guys who were there, not just Loco Express players.
I'm not the most involved in intra-team activity and depending on the team (yeah... I'm on the RMFL sampler career plan), my involvement varies but one thing is certain: I, like a large number of the players, will do what we can to HABU. I don't really see or hear about too many cases where someone sees or hears about another player or team in need and says to himself, "suck to be that/those guy(s)." From what I've seen, most calls for help get answered and it's done in house. I can dig it.
I'm just excited... it's Football Eve and tomorrow, we all get to hugembracecaress tackle each other.
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Darrell Baranowski
Utah Shock #51
Player... just a player. Hallelujah, I'M ONLY A PLAYER!!
