WE ARE MP
In the mini-documentary, “We are MP ,” the sixth grade MP (Mustang Panthers) football team play together for their last season before disbanding to play for different middle schools next year. Over the last four years, the team has not only gone to consecutive Super Bowls, but the MP coaches have used football as a vehicle to teach the kids life lessons and develop their character. MP isn’t just a team, it’s a family and an identity that yields successes both on and off the field. MP isn’t just about football, but it’s about developing pre-teens to have hearts of compassion, courage, and character.
“FOOTBALL ISN’T JUST A SPORT, IT’S A VEHICLE TO TEACH KIDS LIFE LESSONS. IT’S OUR JOB AS COACHES TO PLANT THOSE SEEDS.”
BEHIND THE DOCUMENTARY.
The media portrays youth football in such a negative light that portrays coaches who scream and curse at players with un-checked aggressiveness. We see these portrayals time and time again on Netflix, HBO, and YouTube. This not only places a negative light on youth football, but it also persuades new players from wanting to play youth football. After all, everyone knows that football is tough, but it should also be a fun bonding experience for both players and coaches. This misrepresentation ignited our decision to partner with the MP league and create a documentary.
There are rare moments in life when you have the awareness to realize that you are witnessing something special, something extraordinary that shouldn't be forgotten but often recollected. Over the past four years, we have followed the MP (Grapevine-Colleyville Mustang Panthers) team and its coaches. To put it simply, the MP coaching staff are cultivating pre-teens to be men of character that leads to success on the field, in the classroom, at home, and beyond. Our experience with MP over the past few years is what birthed the creation of the documentary. Since it was the last season together for this MP team, we felt the need to capture and promote this final experience that documents the impacts of positive and uplifting coaching on pre-teen players.