Are You Raising a Sheep or a Wolf?

When it comes to raising a young athlete with dreams of playing Division 1 (D1) football, parents must ask themselves a serious question: Am I raising a sheep or a wolf?
Sheep are known for their instinct to flock together, following the crowd for protection. They rely on others to keep them safe, never leading, only following. Wolves, on the other hand, are apex predators. They hunt in packs, driven by hunger, instinct, and an unwavering will to survive. A D1 locker room is full of predators. It doesn’t take long to figure out who the sheep are and they don’t last long.
How to Tell the Difference
The key distinction between a sheep and a wolf is hunger. It’s not about wanting to eat; it’s about being hungry to eat. There’s a huge difference.
A player who simply “wants to eat” will sit in a house full of food and wait for someone to cook for him. He only practices because his parents or coaches tell him to. He only works out when it’s required. His effort is conditional. He’s waiting for someone else to lead.
But a player who is hungry? He’s different. He’ll eat a mustard sandwich if that’s all that’s available. He’ll walk, ride a bike, or catch a ride just to get to practice. He’ll train when it’s cold, wet, or uncomfortable. Rain, sleet, or snow  it doesn’t matter. His hunger pushes him beyond excuses. No one has to push him because he’s already driven from within.
The Harsh Reality: Too Many Kids Are Soft
This generation is full of kids who are soft  and parents are often the ones to blame. Too many parents shield their kids from struggle. They want to protect them from hardship, and while their intentions may be good, the outcome is costly. Kids who never face adversity never develop hunger.
Ask yourself this:
•Are you constantly making things “easier” for your son?
•Do you allow him to avoid discomfort and inconvenience?
•Are you quick to step in and solve his problems instead of letting him figure them out on his own?
If the answer is yes, you may be raising a sheep instead of a wolf.
What Builds Hunger?
Hunger is born out of struggle. Period. It’s forged through adversity, pressure, and moments of discomfort. Think about how diamonds are formed only under intense pressure. The same goes for young men. Without struggle, there is no growth. Without pressure, there is no hunger.
As parents, it’s natural to want to protect your kids. But if your goal is to raise a man who can thrive in a D1 environment, you have to apply pressure. You have to allow struggle to shape him. It’s the only way he’ll develop the hunger required to survive in a locker room full of wolves.
How to Raise a Wolf
1.Create Adversity on Purpose – Don’t hand him everything. Make him work for it. Make him uncomfortable.
2.Don’t Rush to Solve His Problems – Let him figure it out. Struggling to find solutions builds resourcefulness.
3.Set High Expectations – Don’t celebrate mediocrity. Expect excellence and hold him accountable to it.
4. Allow Natural Consequences – If he doesn’t prepare, he should feel the weight of that failure. Let him experience the cost of complacency.
5. Teach Him to Lead Himself – Wolves don’t wait for instructions. Teach him to think, act, and lead himself.
Final Thoughts
The locker room is no place for sheep. It’s a battlefield of competition, pressure, and unrelenting challenges. Those who survive are the wolves  the ones who are hungry, not the ones who just want to eat.
If you want your son to succeed at the D1 level, stop protecting him from struggle. Apply pressure. Introduce adversity. Teach him to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This journey isn’t about making life easy for him; it’s about making him ready.
So, ask yourself again:
Am I raising a sheep or a wolf?
The answer will determine not only his future in football but also the man he becomes.