By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Regardless of the negative stereotypes about Black men and the role they play in our communities, Black communities continue to be filled with role models, everyday men who are involved in the health of their communities.
There is a long legacy of Black men who get off work, and although tired and exhausted, still head down to local community centers and/or playfields to help mold and shape our youth.
Louis Reed, a veteran youth football coach in Seattle, is one of these men who put time and energy into future generations of our community.
After completing college and a collegiate football career at Southern University, Reed relocated from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to the Puget Sound area in 1992. Here he planted new roots and eventually became immersed in the inner-city youth football community.
Reed’s coaching career began like many other coaches, teaching his sons how to play the game, and eventually, someone noticed his coaching skills and encouraged him to help coach a team.
“One of my sons wanted to play football, so I took him out to the Ranger program. I was just watching, and he had never played before; he was about 10 years old at the time,” recalls Reed. “Every day I would show up a little early and start working with him, trying to teach him the basics and fundamentals. A few other kids would join in, and they had a problem finding coaches for that age group, so the parents started talking to me about it, and I thought I know the game pretty well, so I decided to help out.”
So, in 2008, Reed began coaching with the Renton Rangers. After that service, Reed decided to start his program and established the Kent Cobras youth football program, where he coached and oversaw the program from 2010 – 2015.
Unfortunately, according to Reed, Black boys from an early age have to learn how to deal with adversity and develop self-esteem that will protect them in a society bent on destroying them. One of the driving factors in Reed as a coach is his belief that by utilizing sports, a good coach can teach young boys not only about the game but how the game can strengthen their belief in themselves and how to handle adversity.
“My philosophy is being able to teach my players how to believe in themselves,” says Reed. “How to deal with adversity. We get a lot of young men who come from single-parent households with a mother or father, and the parent or parents out there are working a lot, so I just want these kids to always believe in themselves.”
When it comes to the well-being of his players, Reed is a straight shooter. He makes it a practice to be straightforward with other coaches, parents, and his athletes. He is no-holds-barred when it comes to truthfulness.
“A lot of people can’t handle when you are straight up or don’t sugarcoat things,” says Reed. “I’m a person that is going to tell you the straight truth. So, I am going to be straightforward, and because of that, I am Coach Louis [to my players for life]. Wherever I go, I am Coach Louis, and I love being Coach Louis.”
Throughout his tenure as a Head Coach, Reed has been a success. With four championship runs and one championship win under his belt, Reed has proven to not only be a coach and mentor but also a winner, and he has instilled a sense of pride in his players that they carry with them wherever they go.
“I have former players that are now playing high school ball for teams like Rainier Beach and Garfield,” says Reed. “I have former players at O’Dea, a couple in college, and one at Lincoln University.
“[One thing for sure], the kids are going to learn fundamentals when you play for Coach Louis,” continued Reed. “I’m an X’s and O’s guy, I am not an Xbox coach so when you leave my program to go to the next level, you are going to be prepared.”
This year, as the head coach of the 14U CD Panthers, Reed admits it has been a struggle, but the love of the game keeps him, his staff, and his players coming out and competing at the highest level.
Prior to the season, Reed, who recently married and was ready to fully retire, got a call about coaching for at least one more season. Fourteen-year-olds are not easy to deal with, and some of the young men on the team were dealing with life and adversity. So much so that Reed felt compelled to come and provide these young men with some guidance, wisdom, and nurturing that only a male with life experiences of his own could provide.
“I have 14 kids on my roster right now, and out of the 14 kids, nine of them have never played football before,” says Reed. “But when you go to battle with a brother, you remember that brother for life.”
“Because of this bond, there is a sense of unity that never is relinquished,” continued Reed. “Through football and the metaphor of “going into battle with each other,” establishes a sense of unity that I think can be carried on into adulthood, and one thing the Black community is missing is that old school notion of unity in the community.”
