This heart-wrenching article has been sitting on my desktop for several weeks now, brooding with an appealing desire to unleash harsh criticism on the ending to this year’s 2024 Glen Rose Tiger Football season. Oh, how I would love to unleash the steam that is trapped in my soul for the foulness that was witnessed and the stories I have been told from the young men on the field. However, as much as I dearly want to release my fury, I cannot do so in good conscious knowing full well that my words would be in direct conflict to the humility and integrity that our program portrays. I have been a firsthand witness to the passion that this coaching staff vents when our own players attempt to compromise the integrity of the program they have built and it’s not very pleasing. Therefore, who am I to contradict such a program they have built that praises class and humility? So, I stand calm and collective with my head high; extremely proud of the previous nine-year program that exemplifies standards well above others we go to battle with. Even though the final game of the season was not the outcome that so many had wished for. My only regret is that I wish we could have lost to a team with the same integrity and sportsmanship that we uphold, however, this is not the case and that is okay. In the end, it was worth it. The joy, the fight, and the love of brothers who united to accomplish lifelong memories together. I ask the team of 2024; how will you be remembered? That’s the questions all young athletes should ask themselves personally. Who remembers the state championship team from 1998? Can you name who won in 2003? How about the stats of the quarterback in 2010? Do you know many tackles were made in the quarter-final game in 2014? I cannot name one team, mascot, or general area the teams were from in any playoff game prior to when I have been directly involved. All the hype, all the distasteful remarks, and the embarrassing chants; all culminate into absolutely nothing. No one will remember. Those close to the game and those who played the game will be the only ones who will recall the catches by Bowman, the preciseness of Evans, or the dominant power of Raymond. Only those close to the game will remember the fourth down stop against Waco Connally in 2019 or the trick play that ended with a loss to Iowa Park at the Star in Frisco. However, what will be remembered by everyone and the subsequential snowball year after year into a reputational dynasty, is not the plays themselves or the outcome, but the way the game was played. The distasteful behavior, cheap shots, and vulgar attitudes become engrained into the memories of fans and spectators, all representative of your community and program. However, the converse of such revelation; humility, love, and respect a team dispenses brings forth the same recollections, yet in fruitful positivity; solidifying a legendary retrospect for future generations to recall. This is how you will be remembered. Your faithful integrity has molded and formed a monstrous mountain beneath you that each generation to come will stand proudly upon. I know how I will remember the 2024 Tigers and I hope that this town witnessed the same insight that I was privy to see. I will never forget that every team dinner, 30+ athletes bowed their heads in prayer to thank God. I will remember that no player was distasteful to opposing fans. No one boasted in flagrant arrogance or showboated for their own selfish desires. I never witnessed hatred or the inclination to retaliate with violence. What I did see and will remember is the brotherhood of loyalty, trust, and kinship that this team had throughout the year. Ten years from now, I will proudly reminisce of Canyon Evans and his trust in God to utilize him to lead by example and give Glory to where it matters. I will remember Josiah’s smile and fierce loyalty to his team. I will remember Keltyn Raymond and his kindness off the field, but brutal ability to punish on the field. I will never forget Brodey Bowman and his ability to work through adversity, even when it did not make sense. I will not forget Adrian Sanchez and his ability to make plays and quickly move on, mastering true teamwork and forgo individualism. I will not forget Colton Andress and his ability to ignore the noise and keep leaping when it was tough. Sawyer Ghazal and Jaxon Pillow, whose ability to protect meant so much more than just blocking, but bonding as a unit. The memories, captured permanently in my mind, is a team that knew each other as family first before independent selfish reliance. This team portrayed poise and stature when others were arrogant. Every member of this team contributed in some way, shape, or form to the success and character of this program, and I am abundantly proud to know them. I have seen very heartwarming social media posts congratulating the Tigers on yet another successful season. Some have been very emotional as many of these guys have played the last football game of their lives. Every year it is painful to experience the sorrow for graduating seniors who played their final games as Glen Rose Tigers. The parents, players, cheerleaders, and supporting members of our program who finalized the last season, have a very special place in the heart of Glen Rose. We witnessed these young men play rag-tag football on the fields of Glen Rose. We have seen these kids play peewee football, little league baseball, and little dribbler basketball. As these little boys grew into full sized men, our hearts wrench knowing that the next chapters are quickly turning, and life is about to rear its unpredictable head. It is inevitable, and as much as we try, we do not want to accept that time has taken their childhood too soon for us. I have watched two of my own play their last and yet have another who will finish next year, which in a blink of an eye will be here and done. I hope that each of these guys learned the ultimate lesson from these great coaches. Sure, they want to win. I am sure they are hungry to take the main stage at AT&T Stadium and bring home that championship for Glen Rose. However, winning is the biproduct to building men of integrity. The real trophy are boys that they are turning into men who are just, right, and can face adversity for years to come. I commend the coaches of Glen Rose for helping raise young men to do what’s right. Even in the face of evil and controversy, the light always overcomes the darkness. You have done a phenomenal job of teaching these young men to be the light, even when others try to tear them down. Outstanding job again this year for your unmatched, uncontested ability to lead with passion and virtue. This year has been fun! I had the refs tell me to stop playing music to the student section. Fort Worth ISD also told me they did not like me playing music because they could not control what I was playing. I even had refs demand that I move the horn in another direction. Jessica and I have thrown hundreds of shirts and might have hit a few people in the head a few times. We are very sorry! I have seen anger, joy, and sadness this year. I witnessed adversity and even some failure. I witnessed a brotherhood come together after a teammates’ loss and show compassion for his sorrow. On Friday nights, I watched spectacular football and very ugly football too. As the years compound into my memories of Glen Rose football, this team joins the ranks of one of the best I have been around. Parents, you should be proud of these young men you have raised. Fans, be honored to have witnessed such class and sportsmanship. Glen Rose, be proud of our boys in red, they are one of a kind. Until next year, Go Tigers!