I loved football as a kid. I played EVERY day with the neighborhood kids - backyard ball. I loved football more than anything. I never got to play in HS or beyond though, becuase I had to get a job.
So when DS wanted to play midget football, I was thrilled. In this area though, if you are a certain size, you cannot touch the ball - you can only play line. Alex was that size. He went through all of conditioning, and when it came to the time to play, he decided he wanted to quit - no fun - all kids want to handle the ball, and he was put on the line.
Anyway, I made him personally go up to the coach and quit. He did it like a little man, and made me proud that he had the guts to do it. He learned a great lesson from that too.
So I never got to see my son play football at any level, but he was and we are blessed in other ways with him. He also made me realize that at that time I was hoping for him something I had wanted to do, but could not. My dream was not his dream.
I hope your DS does get to play and excel Todd, and play some day at USC - I will cheer him on and be able to say I knew him when he was just a young pirate!
John1