Let's Cherish Our Own NFL Draft Moments

Ours kids are probably not going pro but their sports careers are still filled with emotional benchmarks.

Happy Friday. Quick apologies for the lone (and late) post this week. I’ve been inundated in NFL Draft content as I still have to earn another paycheck while we’re growing over here! I’d share my draft predictions with anyone who cares about such things, but they were so on point I wouldn’t want to make anyone feel bad. 😬

Quick welcome to our new subscribers 🎉, many of whom came from Substack’s new Notes tool. For those unaware, Notes is marketed by the people in charge around here as “a new place to keep up with your favorite writers.” It has a somewhat similar feel to that bird app except it’s more about writers adding context to their work, recommending other pieces/Substacks, adding quick random thoughts and photos, and connecting with readers in a more quick hit format. I believe you can find my Notes just by clicking my name. We’ll see how it goes but off the jump I’m finding it quite lovely and civil. No one has yet demanded I go back in the kitchen or asked if I played the sports I write about. A welcome change from Elon’s World. You can check out Notes – and participate – here.

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Back to the NFL Draft, man, these kids hearing the news that their lives are changed forever always turns me into a soppy mess. The joy on the faces of top picks like Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Jalen Carter jumped off the screen last night. But, per tradition, it was the emotional parents that dug into my soul. If you were watching, I’m sure you felt the same.

Look at a proud Julie Young with all the feels as her son, Bryce, officially got the call. Chills.

I think we Good Gamers, in particular, may need a few more tissues during these moments when sports dreams come true thanks to the very reason we’re here. We are connected to and love kids who are playing sports, be it as parents, grandparents, friends. coaches, the list goes on.

And I’ll be honest here, as ridiculous as it may sound: Sometimes when I watch something triumphant like the NFL Draft that marries sport and deep family connection, I shut my eyes and put myself in the position of a Julie, trying to imagine what it would feel like to have one of my boys drafted into a professional sports league. I think about how proud I’d be, and what that hug would feel like after their name was called. I only think of it in the moment and never outside of it because I know and accept that my kids aren’t going to be pro athletes. Just like during the Oscars when I envision what it would be like to walk the red carpet in a custom Valentino gown even though I know I’ll never get near that damn carpet.

Good Game has been alive for two months and I have yet to give the obligatory “your kid isn’t going pro” lecture. That’s because it’s kinda boring and obvious, and if anything, some readers are more focused on figuring out whether or not their kid is a legitimate college prospect. FYI: We already received tips from Duke women’s soccer head coach Robbie Church and will be exploring a multitude of expert voices as we go along.

But when it comes to the next step, making a pro career of these sports, well, the odds are never in your favor.

Here’s a quick look:

Maybe some of your kids will be collegiate athletes who become the 1-2%ers (please don’t forget us when that happens) but most of our kids will be part of the regular folk crowd, hopefully thriving in ways we can’t yet imagine.

But watching the NFL Draft does inspire me to think about those little moments on this youth sports journey. You know, the times when we’re overcome with positivity directed toward our kids. Some may be achievement-based but, to me, the ones with lasting impact are the ones that have blown me away from the emotional IQ standpoint. Here are a few examples from my world. I would love love love to hear the youth sports moments that have made your heart sing, too.

- The first time my younger son got in pitching trouble and battled without losing his shit. (If it were me, I’d always lose my shit.)

- The time my older son’s soccer coach challenged him to a 100 juggles and he didn’t stop until he crossed the finish line.

- The first time my younger son showed empathy toward a teammate who was being teased.

- The time my older kid tried out for a new team where he didn’t know a soul but knew it was time to expand his horizons.

- The first time both kids’ teams uttered “thank you, parents” after a game. (Just have to pretend it wasn’t forced by the coaches.)

Those are just a few examples, there are plenty more. But really, I want to hear your anecdotes now.

All right, going to grab my tissues and settle in for Rounds 2-7 of the NFL Draft. You can check out some youth sports news below, and pleased stay tuned for more Good Game next week. Excited for what we have in store!

Some Youth Sports News That Caught My Eye This Week

New Jersey little league puts kibosh on unruly spectators

This one is making the rounds, and with good reason. Yell at an ump and you must volunteer to ump three games before being allowed back in the stands. The toxic treatment of officials is a serious issue threatening the backbone of youth sports. Who on earth would want to get into officiating based on the status quo? Kudos to Deptford Township for taking action that’s rooted in empathy.

• The WSJ’s Jason Gay makes a compelling argument that the omnipresent  participation trophy debate is all smoke and mirrors.

• Washington lawmakers agree to renovate minor league facilities in the state with $42 million previously earmarked to youth sports fields.  

• Families in S.C. continue to be scarred one year after gunfire broke out at a little league game.

• An important question to ask: are recreational sports really dying?

• The Packers first round pick, defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, was a stud hockey player in high school. Kids playing multiple sports, gotta love it!