Respect the linemen!

By JOHN CROWDER
Sheridan High School Student

Editor’s note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade honors English class, taught by Tanya Busailah.

Since playing one year of varsity football, I have developed a great appreciation and love for the offensive line position. I believe that the offensive line is the most important position and the best character-building position in football, and yet they don’t get as much recognition for all the things they do.

There is only one person who touches the ball on every play and that’s the center. All the blockers up front for the running back and quarterback are all lineman, and yet, they hardly ever get talked about. If the running back makes a mistake and runs into the wrong gap, they blame the lineman.

Take the Philadelphia Eagles for example. Their star running back Saquon Barkley rushed for over 2,000 yards – an incredible achievement – yet no one is talking about the five guys up front that block for him and open up gaps for him to run through.

Without an offensive line, you’re going nowhere. You have no one to block, no one to snap the ball, and no one to protect your quarterback. They are simply the most important part of the game and the only reason the ball can move up and down the field. They are the reason the offense even scores the ball. I have come to notice that the offensive line is like the air conditioning – only ever noticed when it’s not working.

It’s also like a brotherhood in there, and that’s how it builds character. They all take care of each other no matter what because they have all bonded together to make one big family.

Take the Eagles’ offensive line for example. They created a Christmas album together because they had an idea and were all close. They also do everything together and you hardly ever see just one when talking to the media.

From my experience, this year with my team we five lineman really bonded, and we did many things together such as watching film even without coaches, haying together, and visiting Indiana State together. We all treated each other like a family; it was one of the best things I have experienced. We all really cared about each other. We also took care of each other and had fun together on and off the field.

Offensive linemen are also some of the most caring and friendy people. For example, the majority of Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees are offensive lineman. They also have many charities because of the way they or another teammate grew up. They also donate a sizable amount of money to other charities in their hometown to make it a better place for people to grow up. They like to help even if they are not physically affected by what they are donating to.

Lastly, a reason offensive linemen are important is because they bring a level of passion and energy that not every position can bring. The linemen get pumped up when that clock starts because they can be physical with the other team. Not every position gets pumped because they worry about someone else doing their job. The quarterback is hoping his linemen block and his receivers get open, and the running back is hoping the offensive line can open gaps. They don’t have to rely on others, so they do not have to worry.

From my experience, the offensive line is where the energy comes from on those long 10-minute drives where they slowly march up the field. This is the result of the fact that they can out muscle their opponent.

I am looking forward to being a lineman for many years to come.