Are there any among us “old farts” who aren’t at times (or frequently) guilty of being overly critical of the youth in our community and the nation as a whole?
Someone else apparently believes as I do, because they took something that was potentially a negative, and turned it into a positive teaching moment. Discipline and training take a variety of forms, and Coach Brian DeLallo of the Bethel Park High School “Black Hawks” football team, realized that a snowstorm was a great opportunity to help build character in the young men he’s entrusted with coaching and leading. Here at the Kevin Jackson Network, we call that being an unhyphenated American.
Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been cancelled. Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway. Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout.
— Brian DeLallo (@BDeLallo) January 16, 2022
Their impact stretched far beyond their community.
To you guys, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t live anywhere near you to benefit from your kindness. However, you’re an inspiration to people of all ages. Keep up the great work. Best of luck in all your endeavors, gentlemen.
— Andy Ingram (@scots77) January 20, 2022
Thank you, coach! Some players were in my dad’s neighborhood shoveling….great to see kids helping the community. (BPHS alumnus, on team but injured in HS.)
— Aaron Varhola (@YinzerV) January 17, 2022
Sadly, some leftist chimed in, upset that the teens didn’t get paid.
Teaching kids to work for free…. the American dream ! Maybe it wouldn’t hurt for them to make a quick buck ??? We gotta stop using kids to do groundwork for free
— Murph (@JayMurph42) January 18, 2022
However, they were well paid. Just not in cash. They were paid in the philanthropic benevolence these young men soaked up during one cold winter day. This lesson went far beyond sidewalks and shovels. As one old saying goes, “it is better to give than to receive.” As such, this football team is clearly blessed. Luckily. most tweeters agreed with the Coach’s intentions.
And THAT is how to #LeadByExample – and what a great lesson in #Teamwork & #Magnanimity
LOVE to hear #GoodNews
— DarthSpader (@DarthSpader747) January 18, 2022
That is how you teach servant leadership. Those young men are blessed to have you for a coach. Thank you for your work.
— Chris González ???? (@chrisdgonzalez) January 18, 2022
There are a few lines in my favorite book that say; “The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.” There’s another great line that says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” By the way, the title of that book is the Holy Bible (NKJV), and those lines are verses found in Proverbs 20:29, and Proverbs 22:6. And that first line about foolishness being ‘bound in the heart of a child’ is also from that great book, in Proverbs 22:15.
The Power of Positivity
The famous 19th century Abolitionist, Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I commend Coach DeLallo for helping to build strong children. The news is full of images of children and youth behaving badly, it feels good to see them doing good. More importantly, it’s good for those youth to get addicted to the good feelings they get from doing good for their fellow man.
Frederick Douglass also said, “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” With young men like this being raised, I feel that we are moving that much closer to an Unhyphenated America, and that the future of our nation is more secure because of their character and virtue.