I guess that title is kind of eye-catching, huh? Maybe I am finally getting the hang of this writing thing.

I actually got the idea for this article from Pat McAfee. I know I mention him a lot, and some people probably judge the book by the cover and choose not to like him. But did you know he gives millions of dollars a year toward scholarships for kids? Or that he and his wife help raise money for families with sick dogs that cannot afford vet bills?

But anyway, back to the point.

Pat McAfee was talking about how his daughter does not really have the option when it comes to sports. She is going to play them. Not because he thinks she has to become an athlete, but because of the life lessons sports teach and the kind of person they can help shape.

And honestly, I agree with him.

So let’s dive into it.

What do sports actually teach kids?

Sports teach accountability.

You need to do your part and prepare for what is coming. You learn to take pride in what you are doing because there is nobody else to blame. Sports teach you to be at your best so you can be your best for others.

You have to own your mistakes, but you also get to own your successes.

No excuses.

The work you put in is usually the work you get out.

Sports also teach you how to fail, which is one of the biggest keys to growth.

You can do everything right and still come up short. That is OK. Dust yourself off, get back up, and try again.

Kids need to learn how to fail and how to recover. Not everything can just be handed to them.

Teamwork is another huge lesson sports teach.

You learn to thrive with the people you love and become one unit, chasing the same goal. But you also learn how to work with people you may not always see eye to eye with.

And that is OK.

Sports teach you how to come together and work toward one common goal.

Sports also teach discipline.

I can honestly say I am the man I am today because of my sports background. It taught me how to do things even when I did not want to. It taught me how to practice something over and over to improve. It taught me how to prepare for what is coming.

And on a lighter note, sports definitely taught me that waking up early is part of life.

Lastly, I think sports give kids confidence.

If you can perform on a field, court, track, or stage with people watching, it makes other parts of life feel easier. It is real confidence, not fake confidence. It is about believing in yourself and in the people around you.

That is how I want future generations to carry themselves.

Now, am I going to make Beau play sports?

Well… with Lauren’s family and mine, I think he is probably going to end up on a field, a court, a track, or maybe even a golf course at some point.

And we are going to teach him to be accountable, learn from failure, work well with a team, have discipline, and carry himself with confidence.

And honestly, if he is raised that way, I think he will want to play sports on his own.

But you know what we are going to do for sure?

No matter what happens at those games or events, once the buzzer sounds, the finish line is crossed, or the final out is made, the game is over.

It will not define our family.

Sports are meant to help teach us how to become better people, but they are not our identity.

No matter what the outcome is, we are going to leave and get dinner as a family. That is the true World Series feeling.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.” – 1 Timothy 4:8