Coaches need to set better examples

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After Birmingham’s 42-6 semifinal victory over Crenshaw on Friday night, one of the on-field adults with the Cougars’ football team began yelling profanities at the Birmingham players who were lining up to shake hands. He also was encouraging Crenshaw players not to shake hands.

However, once the adult in question quieted down and walked away, some of the players and coaches shook hands. Some opposing players were even hugging each other and posing for photos after the partial-team handshake.

‘I don’t know what happened,’ Birmingham Coach Ed Croson said. ‘They didn’t want to shake hands. Go ask them.’

That’s exactly what I tried to do, but Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett refused to talk to me.

I think Crenshaw was upset Birmingham had left RB Milton Knox in for the entire game, but come on guys, stop acting like spoiled sports. It was clear from the onset who the better team was tonight and there’s no shame in losing to the Patriots -- lots of good teams have fallen to them.

Knox was also accomplishing something no other City Section RB has ever done -- reach 100 career TDs. The Cougars were already down 35-6, so who cares if the Patriots score another TD? It’s still a loss anyway you look at it.

Coaches need to set an example for the young people they mentor and some of the Crenshaw coaches -- and I mean a couple, not all of them -- failed to do that after the game on Friday.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image from www.gwipl.org