Well, Sal.. Looks like that stupid rule bit you in the butt!!! That lady isn't the only one you've pissed off. And looky here...board elections are around the corner. Time to do some house cleaning on our Board folks!!!!!!

REALLY SAL ? What a egotisical move. My guess is many of those kids have somehow been touched in their families by Breast Cancer and for BOYS to be supporting their grandmothers, mothers, aunts or whatever with a few pink accents is a huge sign of awareness and respect. It would have been handled better if you set reasonable guidelines for the boys. Seems other elite programs can do it, so am I to assume the Burros are not an elite program? This is freaking America and if the boys want to show support on the field while learning and understanding the disease similar to their heros in the NFL and college LET THEM...BURROS I say you do what you want this week.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? There has to be more to this RIGHT??? My son played flag and I am glad they didn't interfere because I would have been one irrate mom out there if they limited these boys (especially for flag we only had the probowl game and the flag bowl game this past weekend left for October games and now we are done for the season). GO BURROS... I WOULD FIND MORE INFO OUT AND FIGHT FOR A LITTLE MORE PINK IN THE UNIFORM FOR OCTOBER!

Is it really that much of a distraction? It's not like the uniform lights up. If the team wants to show it's support in such a way, I don't see the big deal. Maybe the leader feels it's too "feminine". Maybe there is another way the team can show their support, maybe raise some cash amongst themselves and donate it, or donate their time at a cancer center?

I am sure if there was a color for Cancer of the Penis that color would be worn.

Hi everyone! It's great to see such a lively discussion on the site!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the comments for this story are set to be moderated, which means that Patch staff is required to approve them before they appear on the site. I will try to be as attentive as possible, but if your comment does not immediately appear, know that I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Also, just a reminder to everyone to keep the conversation respectful and refrain from accusations and profanities when commenting.

Thanks very much!
Anna

I TAKE IT THAT SAL DOESN'T HAVE ANY "PINK" MUSCLE SHIRTS IN HIS CLOSET.

OMG I would love to meet this guy. What a jerk. What do the women in his life mean to him.Mokena Mom,I do agree with your post.

Well I think Sal stepped in it. He obviously has never had a woman in his life have to deal with Breast Cancer. Not only did he insult every woman who is/has fought this terrible disease, but insulted ALL the families that have had to deal with it as well. Maybe the children of those brave women wanted to do something in honor of their hero, a mother/grandmother/aunt/sister who fought breast cancer.

What Sal did is utterly despicable. Wasn't it just about 6 months ago that the Burrows were removed from using park district land for their games (at least I remember the debates going around about the burrows and the LW teams starting up). It isn't time to make enemies with the community, Sal. I am sure he never took a PR course as well which would say DON'T INSULT CANCER SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS!!!!

I think all the coaches should have every member of their teams wear as much pink as possible. Every game would be a forfeit on both sides. No team wins or loses. I would even suggest signs in the stands stating the support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Let Sal know that the community won't be bullied!

On a related note, isn't this Anti-Bully Awareness time? The quote from Sal's letter looked like a bully to me!. Let's all wear orange and pink (the colors don't go together, but the statement would be even louder) to the Burros games this weekend.

My son plays for the Mokena Burros Varsity team and when I heard the new “no pink” rule, I was livid. After I calmed down enough, I decided to talk with my son. I explained the new rule and also explained why people wear pink in October. I told him that it was up to him to decide what he wanted to do. Letting him know if he decided to wear pink he would not be allowed to play. I assured him that I would support him no matter what he decided. After more consideration than I thought a boy of twelve was capable of, he came to me and said he wanted to wear pink. So I went out and bought him pink gloves and socks. He wore the gloves, and ended up wearing two pairs of socks, pink with his usual black over them. Before his game he walked around with his black socks pulled down showing off his pink ones, but during game time he pulled up the black ones. I am so proud of him, standing up for what’s right.

I think it’s terrible that one person thinks they can make the decisions of the entire board. I know if this had been a board decision, our boys would be allowed to wear pink. I hope the attention this issue has gotten will change the rule. Either way, my son will wear his pink socks to this Saturday’s home game, if he chooses to do so.

Wow..........is all I can say. Some excellent comments made here which I totally agree with.

This group is a joke..I thinking the Jr griffins may get more players next year

Unbelievable. These boys should be applauded for their desire to show their support and to bring visible awareness to this cancer, but are instead being given the message to keep their support quiet. I think we should organize a huge support base and show up at some games with pink balloons, and everything pink that we can. If the boys can't show their support, we can show ours.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. I suffer from a disease that is not cancer but just as nasty. It's not trendy, nor popular. There are no athletes wearing ANY color for my disease. By the way, I am female. There are times when I resent "pink" even though I know that is a non-productive emotion. I like the comment about donating. If the athletes are so into helping, then hold a fundraiser and support someone in the community who suffers from cancer or any other disease. That would be a great deal more helpful than just putting on pink socks. The coach probably should have thought this through and maybe allowed the socks but nothing else. I've seen it grow from a nice gesture to getting a little out of control with all the tape, gloves and other pink accessories. The youth football community is a caring one and I'm sure the parents and kids can come up with something to replace pink socks. How about all the proceeds from the split the pot be donated to cancer awareness from one week's worth of games?

Breast Cancer....trendy.....popular.....WOW seriously??????????

Everyone will wear pink, and they will have to sit the whole team. Doesn't sound like that would happen.

I really think a coach should have each player AND COACH wear pink and see what Sal has to say to that!!! Is he going to bench a whole team and the coaches and tell a surrounding town... sorry we can't play you because our team is wearing pink?

Sal......you are a BOOB!!!!

I could not agree more. Is Breast Cancer the only Cancer? How about the other diseases? The Wear Pink marketing scheme was wonderful but it has overwhelmed every other disease awareness and become a gimick.

What if all players showed up with PINK? Would he forfeit every game to make his point? I don't think he would. Take a stand Burros. Everyone wear pink and let's see if he can stop it. Former Mustang Mom

Come on over to the jr. Griffins next yr. Im so impressed. My son played 2 yrs for the Frankfort wldcats where the coaches obviously had there own pact and agenda where there kids were autonatically starters regardless of talent level. the Griffins have like 20 kids on a team which means alot of play. The coaches are fair and they are not just out for their kids. Thanks jr. Griffins.

One more thing mr. heimer and mr. bellenger. Brandon has had 12 touchdowns in 7 games in the river valley conference. Thanks for making me open my eyes. Its not about wins and losses for these kids. Its about play time. you r not coaching Lincoln way east. Lol. Chuck victor

Best comment of all these: Sal is a Boob!
Get the irony?

Here is a different topic...I am a football referee. I played football from 3rd grade to Junior year in college. I am having long term health issues due to the concussions I have received over the years. I see a lot of kids on the field who do not want to be there. They are playing football cause his/her parents want them to. Please take a step back and look at yourselves and your kids and re-evaluate this sport. I have have an 11 year old son and I am not allowing him to play cause of mine and several of my teammates health issues we are experiencing now.

I had a great career and memories at Palos Stars, Marist and at Drake University but the issues I am having are long term with no cure.

Again, I ref this sport and I see what goes on on the field. Next time when you see a football ref, ask him if they would let their kids play this sport. I bet most of them would say no. Please guide your kids and let your kids make their own decisions on which sport they play before it is too late.

Every story like this always gets people bringin up thins that have nothing to do with the article, and then wanting to start a fight with anyone that responds. This is about our boys not being able to support a cause. If Sal wants to go by the handbook, then why is he th only board member and coach that refuses to wear his board shirt or coaches shirt. Why is he above the rules of the organization?

It's unfortunate that someone in a position of power can make a decision that affects some of us so very deeply. It sounds as though Sal just doesn't recognize the fact that some of the players in his league have the hearts and minds to care deeply about the women in their lives. I commend the players that had the gumption to stand up for what they believe and am embarassed for Sal, even if he isn't, that such a small minded individual can feel so little about a subject that can mean so much to so many for one month of the year. If you ask me they should be able to wear pink the whole season to honor the strong and courageous women who give all of us so much and ask for so little in return.

Enough!!!cancer doesn't discriminate! thousands of MEN, WOMEN& CHILDREN will die this year from it this year! how about a universal "cancer awareness" color for everyone!

Doesn't really matter what my name is..
waaaaay too much time on your hands!

OK longtime mokena resident. I just have to comment on your remarks. I sit 50 feet from every Lightweight practice and attend every game. Do your homework and have the facts on coach Dobrich and coach Asselborns experience at the coaching and playing level. They teach fundamentals and safety at all times. Our boys are having fun because they are playing alot and not sitting the bench. Yes wins and losses do not matter at this level. We play in a very tough River Valley Conference which includes Morris, Bourbanais, Frankfort, and New Lenox. You cannot expect a new organization to go 8 and 0 their first year. Or even 2 and 6. Who cares about wins and losses. They are learning the game!!! Most of our boys came from flag with only a few with tackle experience. You learn the game by practicing hard, and playing on Saturdays. It is OK to have more then one Mokena team. Other places have 2 so whats the big deal? My Son put it all in perspective for me after a tough overtime loss against Manhattan. I told him that I felt bad for him after that loss. He said, "Dad, I don't care if we lose, I'm playing this year and I'm having fun." GO GRIFFINS!!!!!!
Longtime Frankfort Resident.

CV, no Jr Griffin team has scored 12 TD's all year. Nice to see you bragging bout your son scoring 12 himself. Congrats.

CV,

Your recent comment on Patch was deleted because it contained a personal attack. You are welcome to post a reworded version of the comment.

Thanks,
Anna

Ok I have to reword this first sentence. Im not bragging about my sons rebuilt confidence that the wildcats daddy ball teams attempted to take away from him for two yrs. My posts are directed to their organization which has lost several players. And im gonna stand corrected. It was 5 tds he scored in the 3 jamboree games and 8 tds in the regular season 8 games. Sorry my match was wrong.

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/15792721-418/pink-clad-youth-football-teams-get-it-when-it-comes-to-breast-cancer-awareness.html