Drew Richmond?

[VOLINVONORE]

Sometimes we realize our dream only to find out it’s not what we thought it was

Or that you could not live up to your dream.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Thats called helicopter parenting..

Uh, no. Not one of those! Haha! Just an old guy who grew up without a father to guide and advise him. Don't have all the answers, but want him to take advantage of what the Lord gave him. If that's helicoptering to you, so be it!

 

[bigalvol27]

Or that you could not live up to your dream.

Theodore Roosevelt Quotes (Author of The Rough Riders)

People need to read teddy quotes

 

[james_govols]

Sorry for being off topic here, but did Richmond transfer?

Also, nothing wrong with chasing your dream. I always wanted to be a writer growing up. I'm not very good at it, but I still write in my spare time.

I've met many old people who regret not following their dreams. They took that to their deathbed.

Obviously if you aren't good at something, you probably can't make a living off of it. Still, it doesn't mean that you can't continue to chase your dreams.

I would imagine most high schoolers in 11 and 12 grade have come to the realization they won't make the NBA. With that said, there are many dreams that you can do in your spare time.

So, yeah I believe, for the most part, you can be anything you want to be. Maybe not as a full time job, but definitely as a hobby at some point in your life.

 

[Volle]

He likes the sports in his PE class, like informal basketball and volleyball, bowling. (yes, it's part of the class). But, nothing that takes a commitment.

I would take him to some wrestling matches and track meets and let him see what he can do with his body type.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

I would take him to some wrestling matches and track meets and let him see what he can do with his body type.

Good idea. Thanks!

 

[Aerie Vol]

What grade do you teach, if I might ask.

I've taught Jr high for almost 20 years, so I have 7th and 8th graders.

And to the poster who referenced Jordan and Robinson - are you suggesting they DIDN'T have ability? Remember, we are discussing whether you can be "almost" anything you want regardless of ability. Look, I'm a firm believer in hard work beating talent when talent doesn't work hard but understand that statement refers to a talented competitor vs a more talented but lazy opponent.

As for Richmond, I don't know the situation but it's evident he either lacked the talent we thought he had or he didn't work hard, because it hasn't translated into success on the field. Of course, snake oil selling wanna be coaches can have that effect on a young man.

 

[volfannbama]

I've taught Jr high for almost 20 years, so I have 7th and 8th graders.

And to the poster who referenced Jordan and Robinson - are you suggesting they DIDN'T have ability? Remember, we are discussing whether you can be "almost" anything you want regardless of ability. Look, I'm a firm believer in hard work beating talent when talent doesn't work hard but understand that statement refers to a talented competitor vs a more talented but lazy opponent.

As for Richmond, I don't know the situation but it's evident he either lacked the talent we thought he had or he didn't work hard, because it hasn't translated into success on the field. Of course, snake oil selling wanna be coaches can have that effect on a young man.

Born without limbs, Alabama man excels in professional fishing – Alabama Living Magazine

 

[bigalvol27]

I've taught Jr high for almost 20 years, so I have 7th and 8th graders.

And to the poster who referenced Jordan and Robinson - are you suggesting they DIDN'T have ability? Remember, we are discussing whether you can be "almost" anything you want regardless of ability. Look, I'm a firm believer in hard work beating talent when talent doesn't work hard but understand that statement refers to a talented competitor vs a more talented but lazy opponent.

As for Richmond, I don't know the situation but it's evident he either lacked the talent we thought he had or he didn't work hard, because it hasn't translated into success on the field. Of course, snake oil selling wanna be coaches can have that effect on a young man.

At some point both those individuals were told by someone they weren’t good enough.

My point is it’s up to the individual to decide for themselves. Talent or no talent, we can all agree there is tremendous value in working hard towards your goals. Are we supposed to tell Richmond we could have saved him years of trouble pursuing his goals and to focus on something he could actually achieve? Why lower the bar? Richmond is better for his achievements to date, even if he never plays a down in the NFL.

Perhaps we focus our efforts on the kids who say they can’t and help them to realize they can.

 

[Aerie Vol]

At some point both those individuals were told by someone they weren’t good enough.

My point is it’s up to the individual to decide for themselves. Talent or no talent, we can all agree there is tremendous value in working hard towards your goals. Are we supposed to tell Richmond we could have saved him years of trouble pursuing his goals and to focus on something he could actually achieve? Why lower the bar? Richmond is better for his achievements to date, even if he never plays a down in the NFL.

Perhaps we focus our efforts on the kids who say they can’t and help them to realize they can.

Being told you're not good enough (cut from a team) is not the same thing as having no talent. I once cut a girl from my tennis team. She came back the next year and proved I had evaluated her abilities incorrectly. I don't mean skills, I can coach, teach, and train those. I mean physical potential. By the end of the next year she was my second seed. By her senior year she anchored our high school team as number one. Coaches and even the best paid NFL, etc scouts sometimes get it wrong.

Richmond hasn't wasted anything, he got a free education and may yet do more.

Give me some advice. My wife is a school counselor for seniors. So a kid who rocked a 15 (I don't know the name, just the situation, as she observes requisite professional confidentiality) on the ACT says to her, "I need to get my score up so I can be accepted into college, because I want to be a pediatrician." What should she say to the 17/18 year old? Do you understand the mental capacity of someone who makes a 15 ACT as a senior in high school? Sometimes hard work isn't enough. You need ability. I suggest she say, "Bust your tail, get that score up to 19 so you can make it into a community college and get yourself a good education. Do you have any career ideas if the pediatrician thing doesn't work out?" That kid won't be a doctor, I'm sorry to say, but it's true. And the 4'10" 14 year old kid in my class who thinks he's gonna be an NFL d-lineman though his dad is 5'6" and unathletic needs a reality check and a goal he has a chance of achieving with hard work.

 

[bigalvol27]

Being told you're not good enough (cut from a team) is not the same thing as having no talent. I once cut a girl from my tennis team. She came back the next year and proved I had evaluated her abilities incorrectly. I don't mean skills, I can coach, teach, and train those. I mean physical potential. By the end of the next year she was my second seed. By her senior year she anchored our high school team as number one. Coaches and even the best paid NFL, etc scouts sometimes get it wrong.

Richmond hasn't wasted anything, he got a free education and may yet do more.

Give me some advice. My wife is a school counselor for seniors. So a kid who rocked a 15 (I don't know the name, just the situation, as she observes requisite professional confidentiality) on the ACT says to her, "I need to get my score up so I can be accepted into college, because I want to be a pediatrician." What should she say to the 17/18 year old? Do you understand the mental capacity of someone who makes a 15 ACT as a senior in high school? Sometimes hard work isn't enough. You need ability. I suggest she say, "Bust your tail, get that score up to 19 so you can make it into a community college and get yourself a good education. Do you have any career ideas if the pediatrician thing doesn't work out?" That kid won't be a doctor, I'm sorry to say, but it's true. And the 4'10" 14 year old kid in my class who thinks he's gonna be an NFL d-lineman though his dad is 5'6" and unathletic needs a reality check and a goal he has a chance of achieving with hard work.

If I’m that counselor I lay out steps to show this kid how he can achieve his goals, which is similar to your suggestion above. I get your scenario, all evidence we know to date points us away from becoming a doctor. The kid may just decide he doesn’t want to do the work or he fails. In the process he learns and grows from the experience. My guidance counselor suggested a different path for me because I liked reading magazines vs books. I’m glad i didn’t listen.

Rudy Ruettiger was 5’6”.

Initially I would not have agreed with offering other options, but after our discussion today, I believe differently now. Thanks for the back and forth today.

Go Vols!

 

[Aerie Vol]

If I’m that counselor I lay out steps to show this kid how he can achieve his goals, which is similar to your suggestion above. I get your scenario, all evidence we know to date points us away from becoming a doctor. The kid may just decide he doesn’t want to do the work or he fails. In the process he learns and grows from the experience. My guidance counselor suggested a different path for me because I liked reading magazines vs books. I’m glad i didn’t listen.

Rudy Ruettiger was 5’6”.

Initially I would not have agreed with offering other options, but after our discussion today, I believe differently now. Thanks for the back and forth today.

Go Vols!

Enjoyed it. Thanks for listening and constructively responding. I fully agree it's a difficult line to tread, assessing ones abilities and setting goals that aren't impossible while not being a bar too low.

Go Vols, indeed.

AV