This is an I-Heart podcast.

Coming up at the top of the hour, right about four minutes after, it's my strawberry letter for today.

Subject, I'm stressed out in my classroom.

But right now, the nephew is in the building with today's prank phone call.

What you got for us today, Neff?

Well, surely, a lot of parents hate to hear it. Some of them get the call, you know.

It happens sometimes. Your son didn't make the team. I'm going to say it again.

Your son didn't make the team. Let's go, Cataw.

Hello. Hello, I'm trying to reach miss lydia this is she uh masses calling this is coach wakins up at the uh up at the school how are you

hey coach walkins i'm fine what can i do for you listen uh we've had malik out for the last

uh week and a half he's been coming to to practice here at the junior high school, and wanted to reach out and give you a call about everything that's going on. Oh, yeah. Well, I know he's really excited. He can't wait to start this season. He's ready. Yeah. He's working all over. Well, you know what? I'll be honest with you. He's a great kid, and he's got a good heart, and he's really, really,

really trying and trying to produce as much as possible.

Well, you know, he loves the game, and he's been playing since he was a little kid.

He loves it.

Yeah, yeah.

You know, this is a seventh grade.

This is the first time some of these kids have played organized football,

and this is the first time playing school football.

And it's a big transition that if you've been playing Little League ball, a Pop Warner,

or whatever you want to call it, it's a big difference and a big transition to go from one to the other.

You understand?

Yeah, I do understand. But Malik has been working really hard, yes. And he's ready.

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