Two weeks ago, my son Jimmy was injured on the football field. It was one of those moments every sports mom dreads—your child is on ground, the trainers are rushing out, and you realize it’s serious.
Jimmy broke his leg but, thank God, he’ll make a full recovery. Still, his senior football season—the one we’ve been looking forward to since he was a freshman—is over. Facing that reality, I’ve been surprised by how sad I am about it all. I’m grieving the games he won’t play and the memories we won’t get to make this year. And underneath it all is guilt—because shouldn’t I just be grateful he’ll get better?
But here’s the truth: when our kids get hurt, it hurts us too. Because sports aren’t just a game in our families—they become a way of life, a community, and a big source of pride and joy. Watching our child lose that, even temporarily, is its own kind of loss.
As moms, we hold the complicated role of being the strong one. We’re the encouragers and the reminder-givers that this isn’t the end of his story. We’re the ones cheering for resilience and perspective, even as our own hearts are quietly breaking. I tell all of my football mom friends that I think sometimes these injuries are harder on the parents than the kids, and maybe that’s okay.
There have been some bright spots in all of this. I’ve been so touched by the way Jimmy’s teammates have rallied around him and by the kindness of their parents toward us. One story that really stands out: Jimmy’s teammate Aedan picked him up—along with another player injured the week before—and brought them back to his house. After a first loss, it’s tradition for the boys to shave their mohawks. So Aedan made sure they didn’t miss out—he took charge of the clippers, ordered pizza, and then drove them both home.
I’ve been finding myself thinking lots about something my older son Eddie’s coach said to him after he had surgery following a college knee injury. He told Eddie to “keep his head right,” meaning that it was just as important for him to stay mentally strong as he worked on getting his body healthy again. It’s crucial for the kids to stay connected to their teams, even if they aren’t actively participating on the field. The same holds true for the moms. It’s amazing how powerful community is when you’re feeling a little down.
If you’re another mom walking through this—know that your sadness is valid. It doesn’t mean you’re that you’re ungrateful. It just means you love your child deeply.
Jimmy’s cast will come off tomorrow and the season will end in a couple of months. It won’t be long before the heaviness of all of this will feel like a distant memory. But today, I’m letting myself feel it all—the disappointment, the gratitude, and the hope—while staying close to Jimmy as he figures out what comes next. Because that’s the thing…great things will come next!
xo,
Photo by Joel Lerner
