FOOTBALL LESSONS FROM “GRIDIRON GANG”

“Gridiron Gang”, starring The Rock, is a movie about miscreant teenage boys who are trapped by neighbourhood gangs. Consequently, the boys have social and behavioural problems which send them into a correctional centre, but even there, loyalty to their respective gangs interfere with the corrective training they are expected to receive. The teenagers have problems with punctuality, being part of a team, responding to authority and accepting criticism. A Social Worker opts for one activity designed to help people improve in all four areas: “Football”[1]. The motivation behind the choice is that the game would compel the boys to apply themselves, cultivate mental toughness to endure strenuous training sessions. Constant practice leads to mastery and confidence, teaching the boys how to earn things rather than shoot their ways through life. Above all, the game gives the miscreants a focus in life, unleash their potentials, enabling them to do something with their lives. In the end, the boys break the tenacious hold of gangs, learning empathy through the game. Some progress to college and become assets to their communities, breaking the vicious chain of social liability that had hitherto characterized their lives.

I could not help but make comparisons; Gridiron Iron inmates, before they were reformed, can be likened to the larger Ghanaian society.  As a people, our sense of time is poor to unproductive degrees. About 80% of Ghanaians--young and old--would rather cheat their way through success rather than genuinely earn things in life. We reward mediocrity and non-performance. Ghanaians’ general disrespect for law and order is a source of distress to conscientious residents. Our warped sense of entertainment and passion for recklessness, as exhibited during jubilations create a strong impression of a contemptible hedonist society, devoid of any sense of propriety and aim in life. 90% of Ghanaians will tear to pieces others’ efforts rather than support constructive endeavors. Worst of all, we live for the self rather than for community and nation. Indeed, we compare extremely well with the unruly bunch at the beginning of the movie.

If only football could do for our nation what it does for the gang in the movie! Before football is introduced to the Correctional Centre, 75% of the inmates, upon release, ended up in jail or got killed in drive by shootings. After they accept football and the disciplines that come with it, only 5% suffered that fate. Football actually helps to reform majority of the boys. The qualities that come with football: individual discipline, enthusiasm for work, diligence, punctuality--good time management, team/community spirit, endurance, whole-hearted efforts, appreciation for constructive criticism, empathy, mastery, self-confidence, to mention these, are desperately needed at the Ghanaian workforce and in our communities. The good news is that Ghanaians apply all these qualities when it comes to following football. All we is have to do is extend the passion to work and everyday activities and productivity would soar, Ghanaian confidence would be boosted to sky levels, GDP would shoot up. Our natural resources would get the necessary protection and we will all live in a clean environment. We would end the dependency syndrome; earn things in life and say goodbye to aid. Oh what a beautiful Ghana that would be!

Currently, about 90% of ordinary Ghanaians are infected with a high dose of mediocrity. Instead of embracing possibilities in life, they see obstacles and failure. They simply cannot anticipate progress. Their sense of mediocrity has clouded any possible vision they might have for self, community and nation. Rather than exercise initiative to turn their ways around, brainy Ghanaians frustrate and discourage initiative of visionary ones. They blame others rather than accept their weakness and make amends. Most Ghanaians forget that choices come with consequences; they do the wrong things and blame witches for bad effects. Many have become wishful thinkers; opt for the wrong course because God will not allow any tragedy. The result: Preventable loss of lives and property, sheer wasting of resources and entrenched poverty.

“Gridiron Gang” has such valuable lessons for my country people. If only we would learn!

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[1][1] The North American type of football