As the latest group of 20-something millionaires are introduced to America via tonight’s NFL Draft, you are bound to hear the ESPN broadcast contingent describe each player with splashy superlatives – a “gamer”, a cerebral player, a “grinder”, or a “shifty” runner.
Through my parenting lens, I began to wonder how might those descriptions hold up when applied to kids?
The Most “Upside”
In the context of the NFL Draft, having upside is synonymous with potential – a player that prognosticators believe has a brighter future than past.
For kids, this is the kindergartener that enters the doors of elementary school ill-prepared to name colors or shapes. Sure, the whiz kids that attended full-day VPK know the difference between green and blue, or square and circle, but they will certainly level off. Those first day duds will be last day studs – that’s upside.
Ball-Hawk
When ESPN’s Mel Kiper calls a prospect a “ball-hawk” he’s saying that the player is constantly around the action – sacking the quarterback or making an interception during a football game. These players are menaces to the opposing sidelines.
In kids, there are a few ways to take this. First, I think of the child who just wants to dabble in everything – with different friend groups, with a various of sports, in theater class one semester and art the next. They are always around the action. I tend to like these well-rounded socialites.
This could also, though, be the super needy little one that ruins working from home for Mom and Dad. Some of us have familiarized ourselves with these types of kids during the pandemic. Do not disturb does not work with them – as characterized by the repeating of “Mom” a thousand times a day. Ugh.
Great Ball Skills
A cornerback that is highly drafted will, no question, be described as having great “ball skills” – a prowess that requires extraordinary technique and precision.
When applied to young people, these are the S.T.E.M. kids. The budding engineers that tinker, that set up our home VPN (I don’t know what that means either), and that figure out how to pair Google maps to the minivan’s console. As the world continues to get more technologically sophisticated, I might argue that these great “ball” skills make these littles ones’ upside limitless.
Physical Freak
I cringe when my team selects an athlete described as a “physical freak.” To me, this superlative encapsulates the player whose innate gifts have made way for their on-field dominance. These guys enjoy the fruits without the labor – they are naturals, virtuosos, savants.
I can see this in many kids around me – through lackluster study habits and good grades, or via less individual practice time though making high-level teams. These “freaks” rely heavy on their height, IQ, and charisma to get them to the top through their early lives. From my seat, this catches up with them quickly during adolescence – in school and sports.
Just as I worry about the Bears drafting a “physical freak”, I worry when my kids exhibit similar behaviors.
As with parenting and the NFL Draft, no one can predict which players will be Hall of Famers and which will be busts. And, just like the fans that will be cheering during the draft, we all hope that we’re raising the next Peyton Manning while being satisfied with a kid of Matt Ryan caliber.
Parents, like fans, will boo the bad and rejoice in the good in the hope that our littles ones will become millionaires in the currency of whatever they choose to pursue in their lives.
That is, as long as are kids don’t move back in after college.
