Meet Joe • Recent Press

2010

May 25

Coach Joe Ehrmann speaks about Yeardley Love

Joe Ehrmann, retired NFL player, coach and advocate against violence attended Yeardley Love’s funeral with his son, a UVA lacrosse player. Below is an excerpt from a piece about his reaction to the event.

I went to Yeardley Love’s funeral with my twenty two year old son. The University of Virginia lacrosse player was appearently murdered at the hands of a former boyfriend. My son, a college lacrosse player, was friends with Yeardley, her accused murderer, and many of the men and women on the UVA lacrosse teams. Sitting next to him, I could feel and see him trying to process the conflicted emotions surrounding the enormity of this tragedy, compounded by knowing both the victim and the victimizer. The young men sitting around me sobbed and sniffled. At one point in the ceremony I turned to an emotionally distraught young man and asked him if I could give him a hug. I was surprised at the strength and endurance of his hug as he held onto me seeking comfort and, I suspect, affirmation of his emotions and manhood. As he let go he said “thank you” without ever looking at me. Here lies part of the problem and a solution to the epidemic of violence women experience every day in Maryland and America.

The rest of Joe’s piece is incredible. It focuses on the importance of creating healthy masculinity and emphasizes the importance of engaging men in discussions about violence. It also challenges coaches to do more then teach their players about sports, but to teach them how to create healthy relationships and make a difference in their community. You can read the rest of the piece here.

Joe is an inspiring individual. He is the subject of the NY Times Bestseller, Seasons of Life, by Jeffrey Marx. Besides being a minister and high school football coach, Joe manages Coach for America and tours the country facilitating workshops about his philosophy of coaching and the importance of relationships and love.