A high school football team from Muskegon, Michigan, honored hardworking family members to recognize that America needs plumbers, carpenters and electricians as much as office workers.
The Mona Shores football team has a tradition of wearing blue collar work shirts, a nod to the community’s rich working-class heritage, according to a report from MLive.
The team’s head coach, Matt Koziak, introduced a unique twist to this tradition, the report noted.
He encouraged his players to select a family member who epitomized the blue collar work ethic and had worked diligently to support their family.
“Getting a degree is a commendable choice,” Koziak commented, “but I think you lose touch on the blue collar mentality.”
The players responded with enthusiasm, donning shirts embroidered with titles such as “Grandpa” and “Dad.”
Senior Erik Gould chose to honor his father, who has worked over the years as a welder, mechanic and trucker.
“It shows me you can do a lot of stuff other than working in an office,” Gould said. “You can work with your hands to make a living. He’s a great leader and I want to be like him.”
Tyler Sasse, founder of Western Welding Academy, said during an interview on SiriusXM’s “Breitbart News Daily” his Blue Collar Tour of high schools across the U.S. highlights skilled trade opportunities for young people.
“It’s our way to really help inspire the next generation of our country,” he said. “Somebody needs to be in here doing this work.”
Another player, junior Tyrese McCorvey, expressed deep gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices.
“She put her all into me and who I am now,” McCorvey said. “She goes to work every day to provide for me, make sure I have a shelter over my head and food in my stomach.”
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