It's Springtime for Football

Maybe it is the fact that the weather is finally starting to get better, but it truly feels like Spring in D.C. right now. We can all finally venture out without having to put on about four layers or wonder if it could just randomly snow for no good reason and shut down school (more specifically, cancel SMPA Social for what seems like the 10th time). It's the perfect pick-me-up from a long winter, coming along to revitalize everyone and motivate everyone. It is also the start of a new beginning, a time to rebuild and start a new year off right. The same applies to college football, where Spring practices mark the beginning of a new season and a means for young players to get noticed. One of the best things about these practices, however, is that every once and a while, the coaches and players let loose.

Over the past few weeks, videos of hilarious team wide events have flooded the Internet. From a team wide dance off to a kick return drill featuring linemen and coaches, videos of coaches and players making fools of themselves on the field are a great way to break the tension of a long day of practices. It allows the players to have a good laugh and grow closer to their teammates, while also giving fans a quick glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite players. As many of the Spring training games rapidly approach, it is nice as a fan to see that these young players are not only highly skilled athletes, but truly a family who have an unbreakable bond.

I need that shirt #ttu: Too Turnt Up

What I see as the most important takeaway from these videos: they remind the fans that this is a game. Too often, we become caught up in the intensity of this sport, pushing our teams to be the best, destroying the opponent, and earning bragging rights. We ask young men, some still only children, to carry the burden of the entire university and fans on their backs. We are quick to blame when things don't go as planned, building up the season as the be all, end all for these young men. What we all seem to forget is that football is a game, that it's sole purpose is to entertain. Young children want to play this game because it is fun to run around with their friends on the schoolyard to haul in the winning touchdown during lunch. College players continue to play the game for the same reasons. The fans, the players, and the coaches need to remember to not take this game too seriously and to have fun while they are still able to play.

I love these videos and hope that more show up soon. Only makes me more excited to see how much fun these teams will have each Saturday afternoon.

Hopefully Spring practice is a little more fun for Brutus this year