GHSF Daily is expanding its Four Questions feature this season beyond head coaches to other voices in high school football. Today's interviewee is Chris Hinton Sr., a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle with the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. Hinton is the father of Greater Atlanta Christian linemen Chris Hinton Jr. — a 2018 AJC Super 11 selection — and Myles Hinton, who are five-star college prospects. Hinton Jr. has committed to Michigan. Myles Hinton, rated the No. 1 tackle prospect among juniors, is uncommitted.
Chris Hinton Sr., former NFL All-Pro tackle, father of two five-star recruits
1. What are your own best memories of high school football? "By far the best memories would have to be the friendships and the camaraderie. As I get older, I remember less of individual games, but the friendships last a lifetime. I do remember one game in particular, my junior season we [Wendell Phillips High School] lost to one of Chicago's football powerhouses, Lane Tech, by 50-plus points. Our defensive coach graduated from Lane Tech, so the loss was extra painful. The following year we beat them by a touchdown. I was playing tight end, and we ran the hook and ladder to perfection, me catching it and pitching to our all-city running back for the winning touchdown. I say defensive coach, Keith Foley, because we only had him, our head coach/offensive coach, Carl Bonner, and a volunteer coach. Those coaches are partly responsible for who and where I am today."
2. What's it like watching your own kids play high school ball at a high level? What are the emotions, and how involved were you in their development as players? "I'm very proud of Christopher and Myles because everybody expected them to play and they've embraced it and excelled. To say I'm very proud would be an understatement. I've always told them, 'Don't feel like you have to play because of me. Football isn't easy; if it was, they'd run out of equipment and uniforms.' I started coaching Christopher when he was 8 and eventually both through middle school. My involvement has always been father first. I've found it to work better to be there for them when they need me. I've had to bite my tongue a bunch of times. It hasn't been easy at times, but I think it's worked well."
3. Given all the news stories we read today about injuries and concussions, does that cause any concern for you having your children play? Do you believe the game is still safe? "As I said before, I'm a parent first, and like any other father would, I worry and have concerns about the general welfare of all of the boys playing. With that being said, injuries have been and will be a part of the game. Although some of the new safety rules have somewhat changed the landscape of the game and how it's played, ultimately it's better for the long-term health of the players. I think the game is as safe as it's ever been. One of the main reasons I coached the boys was to ensure that they would get proper safety instructions. As a sport, we are moving in the right directions of limiting injuries, and it starts with teaching proper and safe technique at the middle-school and younger ages."
4. What advice would you give parents of high school players as far as their role in their student-athletes' lives? "My advice to parents would be, 'Support your son.' Sounds simple, but over the years I've seen parents not be able to do that. Parents have the tendency to enable their sons and not support them; there's a difference. When the kid says, 'Coach isn't playing me because he doesn't like me' and the parents agree, that's enabling. I just say be there to support your son through tough times because if he plays long enough he'll eventually hit some turbulence along the way. Remember: Coaches coach, players play, and parents parent."
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