Crossing the Thin White Line in High School Football

It really doesn't matter if the six inch or so white line is made of lime, chalk, or paint, there is a power contained in the boundary between the side line and playing field which wields great power over many. What is this power of which I speak? As many step across the seemingly simple stripe surrounding the football field of play, there is a transformation which takes place. Individuals who are compassionate, care for others, and use little to no profanity are turned into red faced, irate, yelling, cussing masses of flesh robed in the colors of the school they are coaching for.

But why does this happen? Is there power in the line, does it truly have mystical powers capable of transforming the personality of grown adults? Of course there is no mystery or power at all. The simple fact is that many coaches use the white line as a get out of jail free card, as it were, to do or say whatever they please all in the name of getting a win on Friday night. For those who have never been associated with high school football, especially in the public school setting, you might not believe this is actual or even possible. For those who have played the game or especially coached the game, it is not only true but unfortunate.

So what causes this change? As an assistant coach I was even warned during an interview that I should not be too taken by the mild mannered, polite, and religiously devout head coach who was conducting the interview. He warned that once he crossed the white line that an entirely different personality came out. Boy was he right. The kind and compassionate man turned into an abusive, yelling, tyrant who thought nothing of taunting players during practice, humiliating coaches, and in general acting like a mad man. The sad part is it was all done in the name of motivating and getting a win.