Keeping it Real

ARTICLE AND PHOTO BLAIR FJESETH

My son darts across the field, his oversized helmet bobbing with the bubble wrap protection cap on. I swear he looks like the kid from Little Giants or maybe something from that late-‘80s movie, Space Balls.

With every enthusiastic step of his, I feel a mix of pride and nervousness. This year marks his first foray into tackle football, a milestone he’s been counting down to since he was a toddler. His excitement is palpable—so much so that he practically lives in his pads and helmet, even at the dinner table, where I gently remind him, “Remove your helmet before trying to eat that spaghetti.”

Yet, amidst the thrill of this new adventure, a quiet anxiety tugs at my heart. As a mom, I can’t shake off the worries about injuries, especially those whispered concerns about concussions. I’ve read the articles and seen the news stories. Heck, I even dated and married a college football player. I understand the risks inherent to this sport, which he loves so much. Did you know that athletes between the ages of 6 and 14 are 15 times more likely to experience head impacts during a game or practice? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these same athletes are 23 times more likely to sustain a hard hit to the head. On average, youth tackle football players will encounter more than 378 head impacts per season. Three. Hundred. And seventy-eight. That’s not a small number.

Yet, as I watch him, determined and full of joy, I realize that every leap forward in life comes with its own set of fears, right? My role isn’t to shield him from every potential bump or bruise but to equip him with the knowledge and tools to play safely and smartly. It’s about teaching him resilience and responsibility, both on and off the field. Not an easy lesson for this mom to absorb, let alone put into practice.

The hardest part for me is trust. I can ensure that he learns the safety side of the sport, but how can I trust others to be playing with the same knowledge, with the same rules and concerns for safety? At the end of the day, these are boys I’m talking about… Most of them can’t remember to put the toilet seat down, let alone how to tackle correctly.

It’s about trusting the coaches, which – on the flip side – builds a better community when we extend that trust and build a village. But ooof, is it tough.

So, if you need me this fall, you know where to find me every Saturday morning—pumpkin spice latte (don’t judge, they’re delicious) in hand— cheering loudly to encourage and, likely, embarrass my no-longer little, little boy.

And in those moments when worry creeps in, I’ll take a deep breath, reminding myself that his passion and happiness are more important than my fears. If you’re standing next to me at the field, please remind me to breathe.

It’s taken many a life lesson with my three kids to remember that as much as I fear for their safety, I need to also cherish the courage and determination they possess as they forge ahead on these adventures.

Blair Fjeseth is a working professional and proud Montana mom. You can reach her at blairparker. inc@gmail.com. Follow her Instagram @blair_mt for more adventures.