Coach Carter (Poem)

Coach Carter (2005)

Directed by Thomas Carter

Basketball: it’s more than a game.

The gym is a place to escape –

a place that doesn’t discriminate.

The violence, destruction, and chaos

outside these walls gets put on pause.

One team. One goal. Brotherhood.

Every dribble, pass, shot, and steal

serves a purpose. The blood,

sweat, and tears mean more

when they drench the court

opposed to the streets. Focus,

discipline, strength, and effort

will pay off in the end. I don’t

have to act tough or be someone

I’m not when the whistle blows

and my confidence grows.

I owe my life to Coach Carter.

He showed me a different way

of life. He taught me to show up

and strive to be great. He pushed

me to become a better man.

Thank you, Coach Carter

for giving me a second chance.

I know I’m a different person

with a basketball in my hands.