Football is More
Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the pleasure to partner with Future For Football to share the benefits of football. From what football teaches our athletes to how football brings us together and connects our community. During this time we talked to many football families, Marvin McNutt (former Iowa Hawkeye wide receiver, and the wide receiver for Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Redskins/Washington Commanders), and Kristy Staker (football mom and football coach’s wife).
In case you missed it, we recently wrote about how Football Brings Us Together, and over on Instagram, we shared a reel featuring Marvin McNutt and what football means to him and his son! You can view the reel here.
Lastly, we had the opportunity to chat with Kristy Staker, a football mom, and wife of a collegiate head coach. During our conversation with her, she shared her family’s experience with football, her passion for the community of the game, and just how much football brings their family together. Before we had the opportunity to chat with her, Kristy said, “football is family and family is football.”
Be sure to check out our video with Kristy and see how football truly is her family.
Be bigger than the field.
Football is more than practice and playing games, it is building the community. It’s the excitement of getting together off the field and building relationships with one another. For the community, it’s helping the players to see that they are bigger than the field. When devastation struck the area in 2020 after the derecho, within minutes the team was out there assisting and helping families and community members work the food line.
Be flexible.
Whether you have one kid or over a hundred kids, the biggest lesson to learn is flexibility. From the day-to-day routine to the busy days, she recommends staying flexible. Even when schedules are busy the best thing to do is be flexible, and continue to be there for each other — just go with the flow.
Keep it fun and try it.
Whether you’re a mom or dad looking to get started with football — keep it fun and try it! In football, there are so many different roles and positions that players can try, which allows young athletes to find a spot they love and enjoy. But, more importantly, there are so many life skills that come from the game. Skills like hard work, dedication, resilience, and time management. Learning these skills as youth athletes is so valuable!
Keep them fed.
Whether you are a player or a support person, food is an important part of football. From little athletes or collegiate athletes, they are always hungry so keeping them fed is so important. (Plus, nobody wants anyone to be hangry!) No matter your role in football, keep them fed. Always have snacks read.
After the interview, Kristy shared that her son’s favorite food after a game is chips, Kinder Joys, and a full-size Gatorade — “not all healthy, but such a treat”, she said. “Also, for the team, any type of meat with cheesy potatoes for the win every time, and of course, scotcharoos… every game day is a scotcheroo day.” Kristy was also so generous in sharing her scotcheroo recipe with us (you can find it below!).
Kristy’s Scotcheroo Recipe:
Grease a 9×13 pan and set aside. Then, pour Rice Krispies into a large bowl and set aside. Next mix together 2 cups of Karo syrup, 1 ½ cups of sugar, ¾ cup of honey, and 2 cups of peanut butter and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the bowl of Rice Krispies and mix well. Once mixed well, pour the mixture into the greased 9×13 pan and pat down with a spatula. Using low heat, melt 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ bag of butterscotch chips, stirring constantly. Pour this mixture over the Rice Krispies evenly, and then let set before cutting or serving.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Karo syrup
- 1 ½ cups of sugar
- ¾ cup of honey
- 2 cups peanut butter
- 6-8 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ bag butterscotch chips
Thank you again, Kristy, for taking the time to share how important football is to your family, and the many ways football has and continues to make a positive impact — on and off the field. If you’re on the fence about your son or daughter playing football or becoming a football family, we hope you find these resources beneficial for you!
Visit FutureForFootball.com to find a league near you and for other helpful resources.