Sometimes it's tough being a dad. Parents who think it gets easier once the kids leave the nest have a lot to learn. Stan Pachall learned that again this week. Stan's son, Casey, is the starting quarterback at Texas Christian University (TCU). As a TCU season ticket holder, I have become familiar with Casey and his "Texas gunslinger persona." Earlier this year Casey was disciplined by his coach after failing a random drug test. Early this past Thursday morning Casey drove through a stop sign in front of a police car. He subsequently failed a breathalyzer test and was arrested. While Casey was in trouble with the law, he was in ever deeper "hot water" with dad.
Many parents would have rushed to their child's aid, bailed them out and then ushered them home to that protective environment. But Stan Pachall is not such a parent. He's probably learned from his experience as a Texas State Trooper. Stan and his wife let Casey sit in his cell until the afternoon. After Casey's release, Stan made a brief statement to reporters. "He's got a lot of responsibility riding on his shoulders, so he needs to be responsible for himself. Now we're going to start that journey and see where it leads."
Instead of taking him home to that protective environment, they dropped him off on campus. If you question that action just think about this: He's the starting quarterback on one of the top football teams in the country and now he has to face his peers knowing he screwed up and let them down. Part of the responsibility that Stan Pachall was talking about is facing your peers, knowing they were counting on you. Would Casey have experienced that while isolated in his parent's home?
Fifteenth ranked TCU will play Iowa State today. Casey has been suspended by coach Gary Patterson, but he will still be on the sidelines. I know some people are upset at this, but in my mind it is all part of teaching him responsibility. He has to face his teammates knowing he let them down. If the team loses, he has to accept part of the blame. If they win, it proves he's not irreplaceable. Would he have the same experience if he watched the game on TV at home?
We still don't know what Casey Pachall's future is at TCU, but I do know this: When it comes to being disciplined I think I would rather face my football coach, than a dad who is determined to teach his son to be accountable for his actions.
Stan Pachall has given all parents an example of how to teach kids to be more responsible.
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