My junior high P.E. teacher had a gym full of posters with sports clichés designed to inspire the kids and teach us life lessons.
They became the students' punch line of our garage band slacker generation. "Winners never quit, and quitters never win" was one of them that we would sarcastically chant at a Friday night party if a member of the football team couldn't finish his six-pack.
I once mockingly repeated another to a friend who just crashed his motorcycle, "If it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger."
My favorite was, "Pain goes away—injury goes to the hospital." The ridiculousness of this statement to my adolescent view of the world was deeply offensive. Pain, this spoiled suburban child believed, is to be avoided at all costs.
Take as an example a story I recently found in the Christian Science Monitor of the Avella High School Eagles from the rural farming community of the same name in Western Pennsylvania. This same region of the country produced legends such as Johnny Unitas, Mike Ditka, Joe Namath, and Joe Montana only generations ago.
These hardened people from the steel mills, farms, and coal mines have historically been naturally endowed with football grit—but something terrible has happened in recent years.
- B/R Ticket Guide
It seems the inevitable pain of losing football games has convinced players and their parents that quitting was the best option.
The tiny school of two hundred kids has barely been able to field a football team for the last few seasons and has become the butt of football jokes in its conference.
Parents petitioned the coach to forfeit a recent game against cross-county rivals because they feared for their children's safety against such a formidable foe.
Football coaches have come and gone, all frustrated by perennially losing every game.
The Eagles have lost 26 games in a row and 50 of the last 51 games they have played.
The bleachers are thin with fans, and most of them are parents of players who have not turned their backs on the current coach—a core of players who would not give up, no matter the circumstances.
Coach Gray, a history teacher at Avella High for the last 25 years and former social worker who couldn't ignore his students' pleas not to let the program die, turned out to be exactly what these students needed.
His infamously difficult conditioning sessions were too painful for many and have resulted in just a 14-player team after nearly 40 signed up for spring tryouts. After some injuries, they had to fight just to field a team.
Some of the players quickly shed their shoulder pads at halftime to pick up instruments and march with the band. That's why they play—if there is no football team, there is no band.
A couple more injuries would have forced a forfeiture and a sanction the following season, risking suspension of the entire program if not for the head cheerleader volunteering to suit up.
Being a junior, Anastasia Barr needs a football team to cheer for next year.
When she actually got into a game as defensive back, the tiny crowd erupted into a frenzy and then almost completely lost it a few minutes later when Anastasia made a tackle. The Eagles were defeated that game 40 to 0, the lowest scoring opponent all season.
"Some of the other students think it's ridiculous that we're getting attention," the junior quarterback Jesse Noble said. "But the adults think that we're the best thing ever."
No doubt some of the students who mock the never say die attitude of the remaining players are former team members, children of parents from my generation, simply avoiding pain.
By doing so, they have successfully avoided being part of one of the most inspirational sports stories of the year.
Soar mighty Eagles!
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2 months ago
Nice article.
I liked the part about the cheerleader. Who said they're weak?
LOL.
from 2 months ago
Apparently she is also on the volleyball and track teams.
from 2 months ago
Now that's a determined cheerleader.
Most these days quit for cheerleading, but hardly do both.
I would know; my friends did just that.
2 months ago
great read, thanks
from 2 months ago
Thanks, the Christian Science Monitor Story about it is better, I encourage you to Google it, it almost made me cry.
2 months ago
I choked up on this J.Michael.
from 2 months ago
you are human then.
2 months ago
J. Michael - poignant and pointed. i know school systems like this one, raised in rural USA where you take nothing for granted...you exist because you are stubborn and independent. you fight to keep programs afloat with little cash, few staff and negligible participation...
your writing of this - excellent, especially your perspective/point of view...really enjoyed it. One of the best i've read...thanks. jaa
from 2 months ago
To the kids though, their football program is USC.
2 months ago
Would you believe the first novel I ever wrot tweny five years ago was about a high school this small? When the film Hoosiers came out my son thought they had ripped off my novel. I was very flattered, although I was writing with my cousins small community in Illinois in mind.
That remark was kind of off point, but I do want you to know this hit a sentimental spot of recognition in me and I loved your article. It is small communities like this one that restores my faith in humanity and character. Thanks for retelling a favorite story!
from 2 months ago
Dorothy, when you grow up in rural America, there really is "no place like home".
2 months ago
Well played LJ. Spectacular
2 months ago
Nicely done JMM - well deserving of 5* & POTD for this is what sport is supposed to be all about.
The players and parents thereof who have quit are gutless eunuchs.
from 2 months ago
thank you
2 months ago
Lovely piece Michael, quitting can never be the answer...it is perfect from the word go...
from 2 months ago
Thank you Sarah.
2 months ago
J. Michael, this was not only inspiring, but extremely well written, and with pointed lessons for us all. You are one of B/R's best writers in my opinion. This is s classic. *****POTD
2 months ago
Thanks for all the support. I wrote this based on my perspective of two articles one in the Christian Science Monitor and one in the New York Post. I think everyone should read those too.
2 months ago
Hey guys My Name is Zack. I was starting Defensive End for the 2008 Avella Eagles. I severly strained a muscle in my back and broke my ribs which would put me out for the season. I stuck with the team as manager/waterboy/cheerleader. If you were ever at the games i was #64 on the sidelines. I just wanted to comment Mr. Michael and make sure he knows that we really appreciate you guys supporting us on during these rough seasons. Though our last game we were able to get a touchdown in his report was quite accurate. Thanks alot for everyone support and look out for next year for we plan on bringing this Program Back.
If any of you guys have any questions about our program or about the season this year i would be very happy to answer them. Thanks.
from 2 months ago
Wow Zack, thanks for finding me. Sorry about any inaccuracy, I would be happy to set the record straight.
The point of me writing this was bring attention to the true goal of sports, that is learning life's lessons. A very few lucky ones can make a life out of sports but the rest only have memories, lessons, inspirations and dreams to get us through the workweek.
Thanks for your contribution.
2 months ago
You dont have to worry about minor inaccuracies like that you did a well enough job
about 1 month ago
So if any of you guys have any questions about our team feel free to ask.
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