Sports, especially when youngsters are involved, should be about more than just winning. It should teach kids to triumph with grace and lose with dignity. Maybe learning something valuable about life in the process. With that in mind, Jelly Roll rallied his young son Noah DeFord's flag football team following a loss recently. (Noah is Jelly's child from a relationship prior to his marriage to current wife Bunnie Xo.)
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The singer reminded the boys about what's important. He also kept them positive in light of a big disappointment. Per Country Now, Jelly told them "not to dwell on their loss but to stay positive, learn from the experience, and get ready for the next matchup." Now there's some wise paternal advice!
Jelly Roll Addressed the Team
The popular country music singer spoke to the boys with patience and compassion. "Hey listen man, this is part of it, baby. You have good days and you have bad days, but above everything, you have fun and you stick together. Y'all remember, y'all are a team and y'all figure out how to get tighter and be better together, right? That's all right though."
Jelly asked the squad a couple of key questions. The first one was if they had fun, The second one was whether they learned something. To both, per the outlet, the answer was a unanimous "yes."
Then he swung into his all-important outlook. It's one Jelly probably hoped the kids would remember long after the game faded from their minds. "Well, it was a good day in the sun as far as I'm concerned. The philosophy we have from this day forward: the Tigers don't lose, the Tigers learn. Is that a deal?"
He Shared an Important Life Lesson
He added a few details to clarify the message. "Take the time first to pat yourself on the back for what you do, showing up in a hundred-degree heat... and then think about what you can do a little better next time. But most importantly, tell your teammates you love them and you're proud of 'em, and you're going to come back next week and kick somebody's [expletive]."
