Building Men for Others: Empathy Part 2

In our Building Men for Others theme that we share with our players, it sometimes takes one person to step up to start everybody into joining in and applying the lessons we are teaching.

We have a player on the team, Mohamed Ali, who is a practicing Muslim participating in Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of obligatory daily fasting in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held.

On Tuesday, I spoke to the players about the pastor in Florida that intended to host an international Quran burning day. I spoke to our players about people being narrow minded and that are quick to stereotype people based on race, color or religion. I told our players that we are a team, a family and that Mohamed is taking part in Ramadan.

I explained to our players that we are a very diverse community of men. We have players that are practicing Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Mormons and Muslims on the team. We are a virtual melting pot of society. Yet we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM.

I asked the players, "What's my job?" They yelled in unison, "LOVE US!" I then asked them, "What is your job?" "LOVE EACH OTHER!"

I told our players to take care and love one another. I explained that there are people out in the world that are filled with hate and prejudice. We need to stand up for one another no matter what our background might be. Because we are ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM. Despite the narrow thinking of outside world, we need to support and protect each other.

Yesterday during practice, one of our players, Markise Bryant, came up to me and said, "Coach, can I fast also? If Mohamed can't drink during practice, then I want to support him and fast along with him."

As a coach, what do I say? No, you can't support your brother? Or yes, you can risk the chance of dehydration? The social ramifications took the fore front and I told Markise yes, but I had to check on him every 15 minutes to see how he was doing.

These players are starting to get it. I am proud of their development not only as football players, but as men.