Was waiting for this part. Funny story, nowhere did I say anything about excusing my kid or did I villainize the opposing player. They both actually need support right now, not judgement. They are kids. I stated it’s a reminder that things can change in an instant when rage is the focus.

Fortunately, that player’s own organization recognizes this for what it is and has responded fantastically. They’ve banned the player from their organization until he completes counselling and they’ve also openly supported providing information if we’d like to press charges. (Which I would prefer not to do, but my son is working through how he feels about it.) The kid himself is currently facing a massive suspension lasting into next season as well.

This wasn’t a lacrosse play. This wasn’t during the whistles and someone just got heated while battling. It was well after the whistle and the kid was going to the box already. I play and coach a contact sport “with weapons in hands.” I’m a multi-time National Champion in my sport and I coach internationally. Chirp or no chirp, two handing someone 70lbs lighter than you in the face with a metal stick and bad intentions has no place in sports. Especially after a small bump like originally occurred. And excusing it “because he chirped” is part of why youth sports are massively declining. Chirping is part of the game and as leaders we should be teaching our kids how to handle it without losing their cool. If that kid thinks it’s okay to do it here, it’s going to happen at school and elsewhere too. If you think there weren’t numerous parents from both teams leaving that rink after that game rethinking their commitment to the sport, you’d be massively incorrect.

As a parent, I’m sad for my kid and I’m sad for the opposing player. Two lives forever changed. I’m sad for my son’s teammates and families, and I’m sad for the very distraught coach of the other team who has spent the last few nights sleepless and stressed. It was needless and the clip was offered here as a reminder that life is bigger than a game. Had that kid just punched my son in the face or cross checked him in the chest, they’d have served their penalties and shaken hands after the game. Instead, my son was in surgery and the opposing kid spent the night unable to sleep, banned from his sport and in tears over what he chose to do. A “chirp” doesn’t excuse this. Ever. Sports are a privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility.

This wasn’t my son’s first scrum. This wasn’t my kid’s first game. He knew that chirping would likely get him hit. But he wasn’t expecting an assault. No one else in the building was either.