Thank you JV football team

To the editor:
For someone who has never particularly enjoyed or understood football, the 2014 Jay County season was an eye-opener.
Sitting in the stands became a Monday night ritual during which many of the rules and plays of the game became clear.
My focus was primarily on the junior varsity and the 21 young men who displayed a love and enjoyment of the game, for the game’s sake. Teamwork was the byword and their record showed the results. They did not win all their games, but they gave their best efforts — which made the games much more enjoyable. We, as fans, were able to relax and enjoy players who respected each other as team members, as well as individuals.
One mother of a varsity player stated that the junior varsity team record did not count because Jay County football is based on varsity play. To that parent I say, I would much rather watch a game where a player’s status is not based on family money, name or whose social circle is involved. I would also rather watch players who are allowed to display their talents and abilities rather than be forced to stand on the sidelines because they have “the wrong name” or are considered “not good enough” due to some other fictitious reason. When all is said and done, family name, money and social circle mean nothing when the player leaves Jay County for college, where the “real world” doesn’t care about those things.
Again I say, thank you to the junior varsity football team for a most enjoyable season. You have learned and displayed one of the most valuable lessons in life — how to work with others as a team. This knowledge will benefit you greatly as you go forward in life.
Thank you coach Bill Back and coach Michael Karn for showing these players the value of teamwork and how to play as a team. The respect and dignity you displayed toward the players was evident on the field as they responded to your orders.
Patricia L. VanSkyock
Portland