An Open Letter From a Football Mom

Dear Mama on the Fence,

I understand your concern. I understand your fear.

It seems like everywhere we turn these days, football is getting a bad rep.

My son “will never play football. No, no.”- Justin Timberlake, days before he was set to take the field at halftime of Super Bowl LII.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier suffering a tragic spinal injury on national television.

Maryland state Del. Terri Hill drafting a bill to ban tackle football for children under the age of 14.

I get you.

In fact, I was you.

But that was because I was allowing the thoughts and opinions of others to influence what was ultimately my parenting decision.

What the media doesn’t tell you is that almost no sport is free of concussion hazard. Lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling, and soccer are risky as well.

They don’t tell you that most youth football organizations, as well as high school programs, practice Heads Up Football. Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools, the 10th largest school district in the country, has reported a 43.3% decline in concussions since employing the technique back in 2013.

They don’t tell you about the health benefits youth football provides, both mental and physical.

They don’t tell you about the life lessons it teaches; discipline, work ethic, respect, teamwork, just to name a few.

They don’t tell you about the lifelong memories and friends that your child will make.

They don’t tell you about the lifelong memories and friends that you will make.

They only tell you a fraction of the story. I wanted to share another fraction. The fraction that seems to get lost these days.

I also want to remind you that as with all parenting decisions, the final decision is yours. Only you know what is best for your child.

And football may, or may not, be it.

And that is ok.

Love,

A Former on the Fence Mama

*** Click HERE to read my “What I’ve Gained and Learned From Being a Football Mom” post that was featured on the NFL Touchdown Moms Facebook Page!

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Not All Sports Mamas Are Created Equal

Not all sports mamas are created equal.


Some never miss a single practice; while others only attend games.


Some run up and down the sidelines ringing their cowbells and cheering at the top of their lungs; while others silently grin from ear to ear in their seats.


Some are decked out from head to toe in their athlete’s team colors; while for others a simple t-shirt may do.


Some volunteer to be team mom; while others prefer to volunteer as needed.


Some know each and every rule of the game; while some still have to ask “what does 3 seconds mean again?”.


Some are front and center for each and every game (rain, snow, or shine); while others prefer to watch from the comfort of their cars.


Some are quick to let it be known if they feel that the ref made a bad call; some just sigh and keep it moving.


Some like to sit and chat among the other mamas, while some enjoy keeping to themselves and catching up on their favorite book.


Some like to plan the end of season party; while others feel more comfortable helping with clean up.


Some have been sports mamas for over ten years; and some are in their rookie season.


You see, not all sports mamas are created equal.


And I’m here to tell you that it’s ok. One type of sports mama is not better than another.


Each one is perfect for their own athlete.


So next time you begin to compare yourself to one of your fellow sports mamas, remember that you are exactly who your athlete needs.


You are present, you are positive, you are proud, you are perfect!

*** Join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook group and connect with an awesome group of sports mamas just like yourself!

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What is a Sports Mama?

What is a Sports Mama?


Most would answer that question with the obvious answer; a mother whose child plays sports.


But us Sports Mamas know that we are so much more than that.


We are cheerleaders. We cheer loudly and proudly, win or lose.


We are photographers and videographers. Many times missing the live action to capture these moments forever.


We are encouragers. We encourage our young athletes to give it their all, even when they cannot see that their all is enough.


We are nurses and physical therapists. We wipe the blood, sweat, and tears. We apply ice to sprains and massage sore muscles.


We are psychologists. We listen to what is on their mind without judging.


We are advocates. We want what is best for them, and do everything in our power to help them achieve it.


We are chauffeurs. We drive from one side of town to the other (sometimes multiple times in one day!) to be sure our athletes get to where they need to be.


We are personal assistants. We wake them up for early morning games, we find their missing shin guard when they can’t find it themselves, we tie their cleats.


We are broadcasters. We report the game, play by play, stat by stat, to family members who couldn’t make it.


We are also uniform washers, water girls, travel agents, detectives, equipment managers, reporters, commentators, makeup artists, managers, maids, personal chefs, human megaphones, and life coaches.

We are exhausted.


We are super women.


But most importantly of all, we are BLESSED!

My Go-To Sports Mama Makeup Look

Hi Mamas! Something you all may not know about me is that I’m a tad

makeup obsessed. I love all things shadows, lippies, blushes, and brushes. I can watch makeup tutorials for hours and have what my aunt has referred to as a “mini Sephora” in my room.


But all smokey eyes and bold lips have their place! And for me, my kids’ games aren’t it.


This is my go-to sports mama makeup look:

Super natural. Super simple. And best of all, super quick!


And here’s how you can get the look yourself:




Skin: No foundation whatsoever, just clean skin and my favorite moisturizer.

Cheeks: I have a round face, so contouring with a little bronzer (or in this case, a dark blush) is a must for me. Not to mention that it gives my skin a bit of color!

Brows: This is probably my No. 1 makeup essential of all-time! If I could only choose one makeup product to wear for the rest of my life, this would definitely be it. If my brows aren’t done, nothing else works!

Eyes: Mascara is a must! Add some to both your top and bottom lashes to lengthen and darken. Here’s a quick tip: add a little extra to your lash lines and it’ll give the appearance of eyeliner!

I also like to add a little concealer (about 1-2 shades lighter than my skin) underneath my eyes. No matter how early your athlete’s game is, this step will help you look wide awake. Don’t forget to add some setting powder to keep it from creasing!

Lips: Sometimes I’ll wear a tinted lip balm and other times I’ll wear actual lipstick. Just depends on my mood… and whether or not my lips need some extra tlc.

That’s it! 6 steps, 5 minutes, and you’re ready for whatever your athlete’s day throws at you!




What’s ONE makeup product you just CAN’T live without? Let me know in the comment section below or click HERE join the discussion in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group!

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10 Signs You May Be Suffering From Football Withdrawal Syndrome

I miss football season. There’s no hiding it. Going from seeing the same group of kids and families several times a week, every single week, from the end of July to November to no longer seeing most of them at all is tough. The bond that is formed amongst the team is in my opinion, unlike any other. You become more than a team; you become family.


So it’s no surprise that many of us currently find ourselves suffering from what I like to call, Football Withdrawal Syndrome or FWS.


Football Withdrawal Syndrome– a set of symptoms that occur in a football mama at the end of the season; usually in October or November. Symptoms completely dissolve at the start of the next season; usually in late July or early August.


If you have at least 5 of the 10 symptoms listed below, than you mama may be suffering from FWS too.

1. Wearing your football spirit wear to basketball games (or whatever other sport your child is currently participating in).
2. The inability to pack your cowbell away.
3. Reminiscing through the 579 football photos on your iPhone… several times a day.
4. Logging into TeamSnap, even though you know there is nothing new for you to view.
5. Still buying your oranges and Gatorades in bulk.
6. Filling your “team mom” board on Pinterest with ideas and inspiration for next season.
7. Finding turf (turds) in your house and feeling like tearing up, instead of screaming.
8. Eating dinner at 6pm like a normal family.
9. Playing a team in your child’s current sport that happens to be from the same area of a team that beat you during football season, and thinking how much you hate them.
10. Counting down the months, days, hours, and seconds until next season.

Don’t worry mamas, FWS doesn’t last forever!






Want to join a group of REAL sports mamas, just like yourself? Click HERE to join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook group!

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