My son’s High School football team closes each practice  by breaking the final huddle, one hand in the air, then yelling “Thunder Family.” This will forever be remembered by these young men as they move on some day to coach their own kids, and kids’ teammates.

Family is a powerful unit that will always be the foundation to our great country. After 9-11, our country came together as if we were all blood relatives. We were ready to fight for those who we lost, despite not being blood relatives. The worst invasion on U.S. soil in history brought out that family instinct to protect our own.

As for sports, becoming part of a team family is a character building process. We all have an inherent nature to protect, but when family is involved, look out. Once a team becomes a family, they recognize their ”brothers/sisters” needs without being told by a coach. They will step up for each other, do whatever it takes for the boy/girl standing next to them. Coach your kids or your team mates to recognize  this emotion and to have each others backs, as a members of a family would.