Making Men
Giving Boys a Clear Definition of Masculinity
by
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I often look at myself in the mirror. I suppose others might find that to be weird or that I might be terribly vain. It’s a hard thing when you really look at yourself in the mirror. You see things that you may not want to see. The mirror doesn’t lie. That man in the glass stares right back at you. You can’t run from him, he knows you may have done a lot of bad things. I know when I look at myself I see flaws. I guess I have lots of flaws, and lots of wounds. A stranger may not see my wounds, but they are there. My wounds have definitely scarred me. A friend of mine once told me that you bruise on the inside and that others can’t necessarily see it. I suppose he’s right. I guess when you get straight to it, I’m scared. When I look at myself I am filled with doubt. I have lots of questions: What kind of a man am I? Does my life make any difference? What is my purpose? Do I even have one? My questions really frighten me. Who am I? Well, I know that I’m a football coach, I’m pretty proud about that. But, then I think some more. I am also only a part time husband and father, and often not very good at either one when I am around. The truth hurts. It stings. I have won 74 games as a varsity football coach. I guess that’s pretty good. I’ve certainly won a lot more games than I’ve lost. But does winning mean that you are successful? I ask myself that a lot. I don’t think the answer is yes. Besides winning football games what have I ever really achieved? Nothing. Hell, I don’t know? I know that change is coming, I can feel it. I welcome it. I want to be a man of substance. I want this world to be better because I am in it.
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About the Book
Making Men, by Ben Jacobs, the author of Overtime, gives boys the tools they will need to become men of substance. A touching and honest story, Making Men addresses the dysfunction in the father-son relationship.
Making Men, set in the ultra-competitive world of Texas high school football, is a true story about a code of conduct that Jacobs and the boys that he coaches try to live by. A love story, a journey from wounded child to becoming a man, Making Men embraces the fragility of the human spirit.
Jacobs, who is a high school football coach, shares his deepest emotions. He is obsessed with the dream of creating men built for others. Jacobs’ dream encounters many fascinating people:
Justin Warren, a college football player with a heart of gold, who survives one of the most terrifying experiences any young man could have …
Yuriel Wallenstein, a survivor of the Holocaust …
Olivia Williams, a successful business executive, whose faith draws her out of extreme wealth into being a teacher …
“Every high school across the nation should have Making Men. Ben saves lives.”
— NEIL STRATTON, INSIDE THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT
About the Author
Ben Jacobs was born in Austin, Texas. For the past fifteen years, he has taught and coached in Texas public schools. Coach Jacobs has coached many successful football teams, highlighted by a 10–3 run with the Austin Reagan Raiders in 2002. Although Coach Jacobs is highly competitive and wants to win every game that he coaches, his real mission is to win at the game of life. He wants the boys that he coaches to blossom into men of substance. Making Men is a book about overcoming adversity and learning how to be a real man. Making Men is a story that coaches, athletes, and others can identify with. Ben Jacobs lives in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit his website at www.benjacobsovertime.com.