If there's anything I despise covering, it's middle school football. And it has nothing to do with the game itself. Taking football photos on a warm Saturday afternoon is actually a good time.

This weekend, the local league was holding their championships. I had to be at two games and both were in town. I've been going to these for a lot of years now and the coaches never improve their sideline demeanor. What is it about 12-year-olds playing football that gives a grown man the balls to act like Bobby Knight? The histrionics are so over the top that I sometimes wonder if I'm watching a play.

Just today I heard a coach from a team say this to his group of seventh graders during a timeout.

"This is what it FUCKING comes down to! Stop them and we get the ball back and we're going to win this FUCKING game!"

I realize football is intense, but is it necessary to act like such a jackoff for something that's supposed to be fun?

With that said, I did have to commend a coach in my town for consoling a kid afterwards. The team won the championship and was undefeated all season long, but this kid was upset because he didn't get to play much. I felt bad for the kid. The coach did a good job of explaining to him that he was as much a part of the team as anyone else and that he should be proud and work harder in the offseason. While the team was lining up for their team picture, he was still talking to the kid. More guys like him and less Lombardi wannabes are essential to society.