Coaches always talk about teamwork and its importance to the bigger picture. “No one player wins a ball game.” We spend a lot of time working on just teamwork and trying to convince players of its truth. Heck, we want you to not only buy into the concept but understand it as well. To that end we will give numerous examples of teamwork and will often point it out to you as and when it happens. The following is just one of those examples and is one of the best I’ve seen.

We are just 35 days away from camp. More importantly, we are just ten days from June 1st, which is the deadline for camp registration. I’ve been in phone contact with numerous coaches this past week regarding those registration forms and the deposits. Many have said they are still in the process of fundraising. Some player’s deposits and or camp fees are being paid for by their booster clubs. In some cases, the money is coming out of the schools football funds. Some players are fortunate enough, that their parents can cover the cost. And then there are those who have to earn it.

My partner and LinemenInc cofounder, Dave Reinders, has been working to help some of our players at Liberty, earn their camp money. Talking with neighbors, Coach Reinders found work that needed to be done and folks who were willing to help the cause by paying for the pleasure of having football players perform the work. Coach Reinders even contributed his backyard to the fundraising effort. However, this article is not about Coach Reinders.

It is about the seven teammates, one of whom isn’t even a lineman, who for three weekends worked their butts off to raise camp tuition. More importantly, it is about the three players who did not need to raise any money for themselves. Their tuition had already been paid. This piece, remember, is about teamwork. It’s about three guys looking out for and helping their fellow teammates in a time of need. It’s about the self-sacrifice of one for the betterment of the other. It’s about digging down deep and coming up with an extra effort. It is about three players helping out four other players and working together in a common goal. It’s about going the distance for another human being with no expectation of notoriety, publicity or tangible gain. It is about teamwork in its purest form and my hat goes off to this band of brothers. How proud your parents must be of you as their sons. I know Coach Reinders and I are beaming.

Like I said earlier, 35 days to camp gentlemen. See you in June!