Are You the Parent of an Athlete? If Yes, read on… (The Story of Jarrett Lee)

 

The clock in my room dedicated to LSU.

This is about parenting.

Specifically…Parenting young athletes and young men.

I promise – this post isn’t really about football.

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But honestly, I am going to highlight the 2011-12 LSU Football Season to tell you a story.

And perhaps, you will want to share this post with your son.

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Jokingly, of course, I tell my friends that I am an SEC-West Snob and proud of it. But everyone knows I am just kidding.

Why in the world do I love college football?

Every fall, my husband would literally disappear from late August until early December.

So if I wanted to be a part of his life for those blacked-out months, I had to join him in his world of FBS football.

And it’s one of the best things I have ever done….for my marriage….and for myself.

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Let’s go back in time. It was August 2011.

Louisiana State University Tigers had a player who wore number 12, Jarrett Lee. He was considered half of our dual-threat quarterback scheme. Truth be told, the other QB was the anointed starter.

LSU experienced plenty of twists and turns before the season ever began. Without any forewarning, the off-the-field shenanigans of another player changed the Tigers’ depth chart overnight.

In an instant, Jarrett Lee became our solo starting quarterback.

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In grand style in a neutral site in Dallas, Texas, Lee was the QB for the highly publicized season opener in the “Jerry-Dome”. The game had unprecedented coast-to-coast interest and coverage.

The winner of this contest could be considered as a front-runner for the BCS Championship game – to be held in New Orleans the following January 2012. (At least in the minds of SEC fans!)

When LSU beat the Oregon Ducks in this mega-game with huge national ranking implications, it was Jarrett Lee who led the offense to victory.

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That first game was only the beginning. Each and every Saturday, this QB continued to perform and produce under pressure.

And for the next 8 weeks, Lee presided over the Bengal Tigers to beat top-ranked opponents.

It was a joy to watch the poise of this young athlete on and off the field. There was a quiet confidence and a genuine humility. His style was void of the common bravado seen in many athletes during postgame interviews.

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There isn’t enough time this morning – to actually list every detail in this season’s saga…in short, Jarrett Lee was relegated to back-up quarterback late in the season.

During the highly anticipated SEC Championship game in Atlanta, and the ultimate prize contest – the BCS Championship game in New Orleans – Jarrett Lee was never allowed to take the field for one meaningful snap.

These impact games are what young athletes dream about. And Jarrett Lee was sidelined.

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Listen, I know…I’m not smart enough to coach Division-1 football. And this story is not an indictment on coaching strategy. Not at all. What do I know about X’s & O’s? Not very much.

But here’s something I do know about….I have witnessed – as a mom of two college pitchers – the discipline, dedication and determination required of these athletes – beginning at a very early age.

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So why introduce Jarrett Lee to you….today?

I don’t know Jarrett. Never met him. Never will.

But you may be the parent of a young, aspiring athlete.

In a society where we witness bad behavior from many athletes on our 24 hour news cycle, let’s highlight a good role model for once.

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So how did Jarrett Lee react after leading his team to victories and a weekly national ranking…only to be benched and reduced to a spectator in two Big Championship Games?

This quarterback never complained or commented in public.

And believe me, these D-1 athletes have a very far-reaching forum to moan and groan – with social media and a national microphone whenever and wherever – if they so choose.

Jarrett Lee remained dignified and complimentary of his coaches and LSU. He reiterated how fortunate he was to play for the Tigers.

A true lesson for young athletes.

 

I’ll end with a newspaper clipping.

A letter paid for by some fans from TigerNation.

 

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Hey all you parents of daughters!

Yes, this was geared for daughters who are athletes…

Next week, I have 2 very special posts appropriate for all girls and women.

If I had a daughter, I would give her 2 books written by:

Two powerful women. One Republican. One Democrat.

They are corporate giants and authors of biographical books deserving to be in your home library.