6 minute read
Why kids need football now more than ever
Let’s Play Football
We need football now more than ever
Email articles and photos to Bryan Zollman editor@letsplayfootballmn.com
Founded in 2019 by Mike Sonntag and Bryan Zollman Pioneer9192 Media
Publishers Bryan Zollman (320-333-3279) Mike Sonntag (651-260-5032)
Managing Editor Bryan Zollman
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Contributors Vince Conway, Ryan Dutton, Ryan Johnson, Bobby Lawrence Matt Kane
Photography Nick Wosika, Matt Kane
Let’s Play Football is a newspaper devoted to covering all levels of football in the state of Minnesota. It is published nine times in the fall from August through November. All submitted stories and photos must be sent to editor@letsplayfootballmn.com. LPF reserves the right to edit submitted stories and letters to the editor for length, grammar, punctuation and clarity.
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by BRYAN ZOLLMAN
Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football
High School football is back!
After so many uncertainties and back and forth proposals and eventually a lawsuit, our little legends of the fall returned to the gridiron this month with much enthusiasm and anticipation.
It’s been a challenging last seven months to say the least. After thinking a two-week shutdown would slow the spread, here we are seven months later and still canceling events, distance learning, and wearing face coverings wherever we go.
At least our student-athletes are able to wear the face masks they prefer on Friday nights. But it hasn’t gone without sacrifice. Coaches have had to prepare their team without holding two-a-day practices in August and only having two short weeks to get their team ready. Athletes were prepared to play in the spring, throwing a wrench into any athlete who plays multiple sports. A lot of football players in smaller towns opted to run for the cross-country team to stay in shape,
by MIKE SONNTAG
Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football
When Bryan Zollman and myself sat down for the first time over two years ago to discuss the vision of creating the Let’s Play Football publication, we agreed the spirit of playing football needed a boost of positivity in the state of Minnesota. Our goal was to create positive, informative, and inspirational content for our subscribers, readers, and sponsors. As we begin our second, albeit abbreviated season of publishing Let’s Play Football, I’d like to reflect on the happenings of the 2019 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers’ remarkable football season.
Admittedly, I am a 48-year-old born and raised in Minnesota and Gopher Football season ticket holder for the past 20 years. Last season we witnessed the best Gopher Football season since 1904 and it is safe to say no one alive remembers that season. Along the way we saw an only to find out their football season was resumed. I think these kids have a new appreciation for cross-country runners!
Most importantly, though, is that our student-athletes are together again. While many districts have gone with a hybrid model where kids are doing most of their schooling through a computer screen, being able to go to the field at 3 p.m. and strap on the shoulder pads and knock each other around a little bit can be very soothing for the athlete’s soul.
Most of these kids have poured a lot of time and effort into their sport, and football is no different. Countless hours in the weight room, early morning runs, eating a more healthy and balanced diet, working on technique, whether it be route running or run blocking…there is a high level of commitment by the athlete that gives them a sense of purpose. And being on a team gives them a sense of belonging, of being part of a brotherhood where every single person on the team carries equal responsibility in ensuring success.
Being part of a team is an extension of the classroom, an opportunity to learn life skills and lessons 8-0 start, a signature win on National Television, ESPN College Game Day come to Minnesota, and an 11-2 season completed by an awesome victory over SEC power Auburn on a New Year’s Day bowl game. We were greatly inspired by place kicking holder Casey O’Brien’s courageous story of his now 5th time beating cancer. How wide receiver Rashad Bateman stuck with his commitment to Minnesota when his star grew to the attention of powerhouse programs like Georgia. Homegrown Tyler Johnson from Minneapolis North became the greatest receiver in program history. We have listened to PJ Fleck repeatedly talk about changing the culture of the program academically, spiritually, and socially (And oh by the way the guy can coach and recruit!). There were no negative off the field scandals, instead stories of how polite the Gopher football players are and how well they carry themselves in public.
Coach Fleck has preached positivity and moving beyond the that are not necessarily taught on a white board.
My son was a senior last year. His favorite sport was baseball and he was looking forward to a fun spring with nine other fellow seniors on the team. That opportunity was erased because of the virus. But when asked about it afterwards, what he missed the most was just being with his buddies.
In this issue we feature some kids who are going to go on to big things on the football field. But the vast majority of senior football players in the state of Minnesota will play their final game this fall and never strap on a pair of shoulder pads again. They have waited for this final season their entire high school lives — the memories, the camaraderie, and the togetherness that the game of football provides is so meaningful.
Isolating kids from each other will have a far more detrimental effect on them than a virus. It’s great to see them back out on the field enjoying all the sport has to offer. I hope they are allowed to continue. Because right now, these kids need
Gophers 2019 reflection
football more than they ever have. thoughts of “here we go again” and what we can become as a state behind our only Division 1 Football program. If the scene on the field following the Penn State win, or the showing the fans made the day ESPN came to town, or how many families and friends gathered together on New Year’s to cheer on the maroon and gold are any indication of his preaching, then I think his message is taking hold state-wide.
So as a fan of football, as a co-founder of Let’s Play Football, I say thank you to coach Fleck and the University of Minnesota Football Program for helping make 2019 our inaugural season a memorable one for the state of Minnesota. If their success on and off the field inspires young kids (with permission from their newly enthused parents) to give the great sport of football a chance, then the Golden Gophers have really helped us promote the goals of Let’s Play Football as we move forward for the future.
