When My 9-Year-Old Decided He Was Ready for Tackle Football

There are certain moments in motherhood when you realize your child is growing up right in front of you—and you’re not quite ready for it. For me, that moment came when my nine year old son told me he wanted to play tackle football. My immediate reaction?

Absolutely not.

Okay, maybe I didn’t say those exact words out loud. But internally? I was screaming them. Tackle football? My baby? The same little boy who still needs me to help him find things that are literally sitting right in front of him? Now he wanted to put on a helmet, pads, and run full speed into other kids?

No, thank you.

Of course, he saw it completely differently. To him, this wasn’t about the things that scared me. It was about football. It was about being on a team and learning something new. It was about the competition and making new friends. He was doing something he genuinely loved.

Trey has had the same coach since he made his foray into football, Coach Ryan Taylor. We respect him and trust his opinion. So when Coach Taylor felt that Trey was ready to put on those pads, Trey was confident that he could step into this new chapter. And my confidence grew when Coach Taylor reassured us that he was going to make this an enjoyable experience for him, not throw him into an uncomfortable situation and most importantly, he wanted to make sure he was safe.

That’s when I realized something – sometimes our children are ready to take a step before we’re ready to let them.

As moms, we spend so much of our lives protecting them. We hold their hands when they cross the street. We kiss their boo-boos. We check their homework. We make sure they’re eating, sleeping, and doing all the things they’re supposed to do.

Then one day, they start asking for independence.

And now we’re standing on the sidelines thinking, “Wait… who gave you permission to grow up?”

I understand the risk of the game and what comes with tackle football. We talked about guardian caps and protective gear to assure his safety and I am so grateful that he entered a league that taught him the importance of tackling safely and taking care of their bodies. I can’t promise that I’ll ever be completely comfortable watching my son play tackle football and I’m sure there will be moments when my stomach drops and I hold my breath. But I’m learning that being a good mom doesn’t always mean keeping them from every scary thing. Sometimes it means making sure they’re prepared and then letting them experience something for themselves.

So, yes. My nine year old is playing tackle football.

And yes. Mom is nervous.

But I’m also incredibly proud.

Because that little boy who once needed me for everything is becoming a confident, brave kid who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. And maybe that’s the part of motherhood nobody prepares you for.

Here are a few tips for other families who have kids who are beginning their tackle football journey:

1. Let yourself be nervous

   It’s okay to be scared. You’re not a bad sports mom because your stomach drops when you see your kid get tackled. Those feelings come from loving your child.

2. Learn the game

   I am fortunate that I have been watching football from a very young age. (It all began with Sundays after church with my father.) I suggest taking some time to learn the basics because knowing what’s happening on the field can make watching a little less stressful.

3. Ask questions about safety and talk to the coaches

   Don’t be afraid to talk to the coaches about equipment, practice routines, concussion protocols, tackling techniques, and how injuries are handled. Being informed can give you some peace of mind. Coach Taylor answered my questions, continued to reassure Trey and furthermore, continues to make sure that Trey grows with the game.

4. Make sure your son has the right equipment

   Properly fitted equipment matters. Ask the program how helmets and pads are fitted and what they recommend for your child’s age and position.

5. Don’t let your fear become his fear

   This one can be HARD. If they are excited, try not to constantly tell them, “Be careful! Don’t get hurt!” Instead, remind them to listen to their coaches, play smart, and have fun.

6. Support the team, not just your child

   Cheer for them, but also celebrate their teammates. One of the beautiful things about youth sports is watching kids learn teamwork, responsibility, and how to encourage one another.

7. Take the pictures

   Take the embarrassing number of pictures. Get the first-practice picture. The uniform picture. The muddy picture. The “I can’t believe my baby is doing this” picture. Because one day, you’re going to look back and realize that the little baby you were so worried about protecting was growing up right before your eyes.

And maybe the biggest tip of all – You don’t have to stop being nervous. You just have to learn how to cheer through the nerves.

So here I am— heart racing, sitting on the sidelines. Cheering louder than anyone because if my son is brave enough to step onto that field, then I’m going to be brave enough to watch him.