As the football coach of...
Illustration
As the football coach of Northwest High School, Coach Freeman made it a habit to read at least three different newspapers every morning to keep up on the latest football news. As he reached for the sport section, a familiar face on the front page caught his eye. "Local Quarterback Intercepted," read the headline. The picture underneath showed Northwest's star player, J.C. Miller, being led into the police station in handcuffs, picked up for joy-riding in a stolen car with a few of his friends.
Fifteen minutes later, Coach Freeman was sitting in the Miller's sparsely furnished living room. The home was clean and well cared for, but it was clear that Mrs. Miller, a single parent supporting five children on a grocery store clerk's salary, was just getting by. J.C., the oldest and only boy, sat facing his coach.
"I'm sorry, Coach, I didn't know the car was stolen. My buddies just showed up after practice and offered me a ride. I didn't know."
"I know, J.C., but you know it's team policy that if you get into trouble with the law, I can't let you play."
"I know, I know. But please, Coach, don't kick me off the team. I know I can't play this week and maybe not for a while, but don't kick me off the team. Football is all I've got. Football is my chance to go to school and get out of here. Please, Coach."
"Okay, J.C., here's what's going to happen. I'm going to bench you for at least two games. After that, we'll review the situation and see what happens. But you are not to associate with those friends. They got you into trouble once; they'll do it again. If I see or hear of you talking or hanging out with those guys again, you're off the team, no questions, no explanations, no excuses. Got it?"
--Parlette
Fifteen minutes later, Coach Freeman was sitting in the Miller's sparsely furnished living room. The home was clean and well cared for, but it was clear that Mrs. Miller, a single parent supporting five children on a grocery store clerk's salary, was just getting by. J.C., the oldest and only boy, sat facing his coach.
"I'm sorry, Coach, I didn't know the car was stolen. My buddies just showed up after practice and offered me a ride. I didn't know."
"I know, J.C., but you know it's team policy that if you get into trouble with the law, I can't let you play."
"I know, I know. But please, Coach, don't kick me off the team. I know I can't play this week and maybe not for a while, but don't kick me off the team. Football is all I've got. Football is my chance to go to school and get out of here. Please, Coach."
"Okay, J.C., here's what's going to happen. I'm going to bench you for at least two games. After that, we'll review the situation and see what happens. But you are not to associate with those friends. They got you into trouble once; they'll do it again. If I see or hear of you talking or hanging out with those guys again, you're off the team, no questions, no explanations, no excuses. Got it?"
--Parlette
