Today, I took my pre-school-aged son to the park. While driving into the park, I noticed about 20 teenage boys (14-16 years old or so) playing a good old game of backyard football there. I immediately looked for flags and braced myself for some kind of "touch" game.

As I pulled into a space, one of them made a perfect form tackle on the ball carrier. They both got up, talked a little smack, dusted off, and set up to play the next down.

These guys, whoever they were, clearly did not get the memo about being sheltered pansies. Perhaps the planet is not doomed after all. I made sure to let my son watch and impress upon him that "this is how you play. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Why does the movie "American Beauty" come to mind when I read your post?