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Racial Slurs And The Grind Don’t Mix

Racial Slurs And The Grind Don’t Mix

In the wake of massive and growing controversy over the Bellevue Football program and the involvement and actions of private sports trainer Tracy Ford I have had many mixed emotions.  The Seattle-Times unleashed article 1 and then article 2  which are blowing the roof off certain aspects of the Bellevue program I suppose. They are also stirring debate about private coaches and facilities and the role they play in this modern era of hyped up High School Football.

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I understand Tracy and guys like him because they are always around this “business” of High School football.  Are they needed?  No.  Not anymore then I am; probably less in fact.  Are they here to stay?  Yes. Most decidedly so.

The accusations of influence peddling and helping students transfer and all of that mess I am out of because the WIAA and OSAA (Oregon) could have done something about this years ago and have not and frankly that is on them.

But right now I have gone from being disappointed but not surprised about the Seattle Times allegations to pissed off.  And when I get pissed off I don’t hold it in really well.  What I care about, all I truly care about, in this arena is the kids.  Not athletes but kids.  That is what we adults here are dealing with is; kids who are trying to better themselves.  We private non-public school football “insiders” can help them through coaching, or writing analysis or stories, or making a recommendation to a coach or college.  And believe me we do a lot of heavy lifting.

Here is just my view but I will defend it as the right one.  When we interact with these kids and families we are held to the same standards of conduct as our counterparts are in the schools.  If something is not appropriate or allowed in those settings then it is not in a private setting.  Argue all you want but I am right and most folks are with me.

If your conduct in the public sector would get your fired or sanctioned then for me those same rules should apply in the private side.

In the wake of the allegations that Tracy Ford threatened an athlete on the Bellevue squad I sat back because things get overblown and overheated and I was not there.  Tracy says he did not do it and the kid and family and others say he did.  I believe both sides.  I’m out of that one as the WIAA and Bellevue school district will work that out.  I like Tracy – he is passionate and full of fire and he is young.  Making a mistake in words in a heated time is forgivable.

But as more and more news and information has come out and this “mess” grows I was so saddened to watch the videos and hear the words from his mouth that at their core are racially heated and filled with slurs that no man, black or white, should utter any longer.

“You think you scaring me, little (racial epithet)? I’ll beat your (expletive) ass.”

I have a long list of things I want to say to him but what I really want to do is say this to you all:

STOP!

Let’s all back up and stop this language and any behaviors that stem from it.  Football is a sport of violence and primal energy in which hurting the other man until he can not get up appears to be a fundamental goal.  But racial slurs can not be tolerated from anyone on any side.  Let me suggest this-  if any man or woman wants to go there then get out of this arena.  You are not needed and you are certainly not welcome.  

You are not capable of greatness of any kid nor inspiring it by using these words and this language.  This is not the goals or tenants of a champion nor of anyone that can last the long haul in life.    You are not meant to put kids on a pedestal because they don’t belong there.  Teach them what they need to know to succeed, train them physically to perfection, and care for them and love them.  Remove these other wrongful thoughts and methods from your arsenal and rewrite the script.  This is aimed at you Tracy- because I care.  If I did not I’d never write this. Your business, your wife, your wonderful boys deserve better.  Don’t pretend it is something else because it is not.  What you said in these films is wrong and there is no excuse nor rational I nor anyone should accept from you other then an apology.

The words I write above are decidedly aimed at others too- and there are many of you out there.  I hold myself to very high standards and any of you that want to associate or support anyone who is overtly racist or racially discriminatory in the way they carry themselves or the language they use are off my radar.  Period.

Put your best selves out there everyday.  #Grind as they say.  Tracy you say it yourself all the time I think- “#@dontcheatthegrind” .  You did just that-  you did.

I want Tracy Ford and his business in the space provided things can change.  What I want to see are Tracy Ford’s Rules of Engagement- the Guide To The Grind!  I want to know what he wants to tell his sons and all his kids he coaches.  I want to see it on the wall. 

He can write them better then anyone as he is 24-7 on a pursuit to improve kids and athletes and I mean that.  The language and slurs gotta go Tracy!  Write the new Chapter, apologize, move on.

Doing that pal is all part of the #Grind.

 

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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