I think sports for kids, girls and boys growing up are a real privilege.

And I had the privilege of playing organized sports, particularly football, in grade school,

junior high, what you now call middle school, high school, and college.

I know the game.

I went to college on a full-ride scholarship to a Division I university.

I wasn't great, but I did get to play and it was a privilege.

And I know the difference between playing hard and playing dirty.

Football is supposed to build character, teamwork, discipline, and heart.

And I can't tell you how many times

I had coaches tell me, men, football teaches you about life. This is a game, but it teaches you about

life. And you're going to learn that when you get out there in the world. Out here on the field,

when it's two minutes left,

and you're down two scores, and it's fourth and seven, and you find a way to win, you're going

to remember that when you get out there into life. You're going to remember, never give up.

Hang in there. This game teaches you about life. And we all rolled our eyes and looked at each other and smirked.

And we all thought it was just a big line, a big joke,

until we got out into life.

And we faced something hard.

And we thought back to when it seemed hopeless on the football field,

and all of a sudden the other team fumbled, we picked it up, ran in for a touchdown,

got an onside kick or something, and holy moly, we wound up winning an impossible game,

and we learned never give up. Football teaches you about life. And some things

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