Opelika head football coach taught life lesson on sidelines
On Friday, Oct. 23, I witnessed something extraordinary at the Opelika-Auburn high school football game.
Late in the second half, Opelika Coach Brian Blackmon received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Opelika parents. Opelika was getting beaten handily. The players, coaches and fans were disappointed in the performance and emotions were running high.
Like the rest of the fans I witnessed a couple of OHS football players lose composure. Then Coach Blackmon called a timeout. Not to strategize on the next play, but to hold class out on the field.
With all the OHS players around him, Coach Blackmon gave what was obviously a passionate speech. I heard only four words, but those four words were enough. “Finish the game” and “dignity.”
Finish the game with dignity. Could have been a Sunday sermon. Could have been a talk from your granddad while fishing at the pond. But it wasn’t. It was Coach Blackmon speaking to a bunch of sweaty, tired, frustrated young men.
Coach Blackmon cared so much about his players that he called a timeout to hold class and teach a life lesson about character. I am so thankful that my 11-year-old son, who was sitting next to me in the stands, was able to witness that life lesson. And all of the people who stood up and gave Coach Blackmon a standing ovation witnessed that life lesson.
I just want to say thank you, Coach Blackmon. Thank you for finishing the game with dignity. And, thank you for caring so much for our OHS football players.
Robert Clayton Williams
Opelika
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