Over eleven years of being a football dad, I can tell you that regardless of the result of the football games that my sons Bradley and Jared played in, there was almost always a smile on my wife. Sure, the smile was bigger with a big win and maybe there was some sadness after a loss, but the overwhelming feeling of being a football dad is one of pride and happiness.  

I can also confirm that, at times, there are tears – happy tears.

And I’m not afraid to admit it.

There have been a number of moments when I’ve welled up and I think it’s perfectly fine for any father to have those emotions. Football is a tough and physical sport. It’s demanding and requires leadership and discipline. But it’s an emotional roller coaster when you pour your heart and soul into it – even for the dads.

The first time I cried at a game was in 2013. My older son Bradley was playing his second year at the pee-wee level and went to training camp with the desire to be the team’s starting center. He won the job in training camp and my wife Sheryl and I was so proud of him. That day, I was on the chain gang and when the Red Devils went on offense for the first time. Bradley was there with his right hand up in the air calling for the huddle.  When the huddle broke, Bradley led his team up to the line, and…

I lost it. 

He hadn’t even snapped the ball yet and I started to well up because I knew how hard he had worked for that moment.

With my younger son Jared, my first emotional moment came in 2017 when he played flag football for the first time. Like Bradley, Jared is a big kid so even in flag football, the coaches like to put him in the trenches to block and rush the passer. But there have also been times when Jared has had the ball in his hands whether it’s a running play or going out for a pass. So, sure enough in one game, Jared lined up as the running back and took the handoff. At first, it looked like a play that would pick up a few yards but all of a sudden there is Jared racing down the sideline for a touchdown!

And what happened?

You guessed it…Peter welled up!

There were other times over the years when I was overcome with emotions including watching Bradley run through the USA Football tunnel at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio to play in the U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series. After the game, I was so emotional that I told my wife I was going to the bathroom but really, I went looking for a place to go and let the tears flow with nobody watching.

This past year, Jared had a couple of sacks on defense, scored another touchdown and also hauled in a pass for a two-point conversion in flag football. Those were just a few more “moments” for me. Jared, just like his brother, likes to be a leader. There are times when he just makes Sheryl and I so proud with how he likes to help people and make sure they’re in the right spot.

Football aside, there are also “moments” that can make a parent get emotional like when a “high honor roll” letter is mailed to our home or when you just see your child display an amazing act of kindness. But with football, it’s just something special to see your child participate, have fun, and make an impact.

Yes, I cry when my kids do something special in football. That’s just me and I know I can’t be alone.

Peter is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network and WFAN Radio in New York.  His son Bradley is a freshman in high school and is a participant in the U.S. National Team program while his younger son Jared enjoys playing flag football.   Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a high school or flag football field.