Youth sports are not about seeing your child become the next Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Judge. It’s not even about growing into a collegiate athlete. Youth sports offer something much more significant than any athletic achievement.
Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Stewart emphasizes the importance of community in youth sports. With 11 years in the NFL, Stewart now coaches a middle school football team, alongside former teammates Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly. He acknowledges that football provides a vital community for young people, transcending the need for success on the field.
“The truth about youth sports, it is not for your kid to become an NFL great. Youth sports gives your kid a community,” Stewart told OutKick.
Football teaches kids to prioritize. They learn to balance play, study, and responsibilities at home, such as making their bed or washing their clothes. These experiences help them develop into successful teenagers.
Stewart coaches at Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina, alongside an exceptional coaching staff. Despite impressive credentials, Stewart prioritizes mentorship for impressionable middle schoolers. He appreciates their willingness to learn and be treated like adults, which is different from the high school level.
Youth sports give kids a platform to find belonging and purpose among their peers. Stewart highlights the comfort and friendship that sports provide, preventing isolation. He sees sports as a way for middle schoolers to engage with others and learn essential life skills.
Initially uncertain about coaching, Stewart joined when his daughters attended Charlotte Christian School. His daughters now enjoy attending games and showing interest in football, creating a family connection to the sport.
Football offers life lessons, teaching responsibility, prioritization, and self-discovery. Watching players like Jack, who displays loyalty and effort despite challenges, is rewarding for Stewart. Jack’s growth from a seventh to eighth grader shows the impact of sports on confidence and development.
While incidents of parent misconduct in youth sports are common today, remember that these activities are meant for kids and the community they create.
Oral hygiene is essential, and the NFL has partnered with Oral-B and Crest as official providers. Stewart introduced a Panthers toothbrush to his routine and uses mouthwash frequently. Despite this focus on oral care, not all coaches shared this concern.
Over his career, Stewart played 134 games, rushing for 7,335 yards and scoring 51 touchdowns. He also caught 162 passes for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl in 2015.