The Warsaw Eagles are the oldest American Football club here in Poland. They had a club and a group of people playing football long before it was popular in Poland, at a time when if you said football it was related to kicking that black and white ball around on the ground. Well American football continues to grow every year in Poland expanding the group of players and fans that admire them, and the teams and organization of the Warsaw Eagles has seen the same huge jumps. Every year teams in the same regions tend to merge and forge better teams and new teams join the leagues bringing in new talent and new joy to the sport. Polish people are big and strong and when they really learn to embrace the kind of lifting they need for football the excitement will grow further. I have only been living in Poland full time since March but I have noticed the older learned methods of weightlifting are really geared towards bodybuilding or the national Olympic lifting team. I have seen this start to change and the players and starting to lift in a way to really improve their athletic ability with football specific training, which is really exciting. The gyms here in Poland need to get better too though so that they can provide the right environment for the athletes to train in. I really love American football, wasn't that obvious already? When I was a much younger kid playing HS football in the US all that I could think about was the NFL. I grew up watching movies like 'Rudy' which is ok, but later I discovered 'The Program'. 'The Program' IS football to anyone who knows the sport and for anyone interested in the sport should watch the movie. Great set of characters in the movie, great set of ideals and great head coach played by James Caan. I think that if you want to know what goes on in the head of an American football player you should watch how the movie plays out. For the hopeful kids wanting to make something out of themselves there is Alvin Mack played by Duane Davis, who is just an awesome and brutal defensive back. Steve Lattimer played by Andrew Bryniarski is a great representation of what can happen to you when taking steroids and how addicting that can be. And Darnell Jefferson played by Omar Epps, who is a troubled youth who turns his life around and gets some amazing opportunities in life largely because of his ability as a football player. I have already spoken about the life long friendships you build by playing football but I have not spoken much about the coaches. I just want to say that the coaches I have met in life in playing football or weightlifting have been the most encouraging and motivating people that I know. Coaches are teachers of their discipline and guide students and players with their knowledge and experience, and there is no way that I would be anywhere near the athlete or respectful individual I have been in the past or future without good help along the way. Coaches also sacrifice a lot in the way of personal time and often low pay to help guide the younger kids in the right path, so try to show some respect and listen when you are on the field or in the gym. I still stay in touch with my high school football coach, who is a mentor, continuing lifting and football coach, but more importantly he is a life-long friend and I think he would help me out in any way he could. Be passionate about whatever you choose to do in life, respect those who deserve it and for those trying to help you say thank you. Well friends good night or to some good morning :)
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