There are a plethora of singular words that can perfectly sum up what football is all about and what is needed for players and teams to be successful. Words like tough, battle, execution, practice, pressure, blitz, pass, run, protection, coaching, and winning are some that come to mind.  

There are two words that will be very important and will stand out above all others this spring when high school student-athletes will be able to return to a football field for the first time since the fall of 2019.

Character and discipline. 

For the student-athletes in the regions allowing football to take place, it’s an opportunity that wasn’t expected by many and an opportunity that they can’t take for granted. A few days after the announcement, my son Bradley was on a Zoom call with coaches and players to talk about the upcoming season and it’s clear that it’s going to take an extra effort by everyone to make sure that the entire season can be played. There will be health and safety protocols in place, but the coaches stressed to the players that this is not going to be a typical football season.

So, the players must be smart and be extra disciplined in terms of behavior away from school and the football field. It’s important that they show good character and have respect for the other players and coaches in avoiding social gatherings like parties to minimize the chances of getting infected and spreading the virus throughout the team.

Character and discipline are already important words as it relates to football, but those words are going to be critical during the upcoming spring season. Everyone must follow the rules and be smart away from the field so that the action can be maintained on the field.  

Without character and discipline, there are going to be players, coaches, and teams that will revert to the feeling from the fall. Nobody wants that empty feeling to return. I know that there are a lot of people in New York that are ready for high school football, but hopefully, a lot of people that are involved are ready to do the right things to get through the season.  

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.