Football is the ultimate team game. Unlike solo sports like golf or tennis, football requires 11 people to communicate and move as a unit. The receivers can’t catch unless the quarterback can throw, and he can’t throw if nobody’s blocking. As a long snapper on punts and field goals, if I botch the snap, everything falls apart. Successful teams have players who understand and embrace their roles. Do you embrace the roles of a father?

Families operate the same way as a football team. My wife, Lauren, and I are a great complementary team. No day is perfect, but we do our best to raise our four kids well. Just like a successful football team, a family thrives when all the members are committed to their roles. As dads, our jobs are critical. When we fall short, we let down the ones we care about the most. Here are 5 roles football players and teammates embrace that dads should embrace, too.

A goal I have had my whole career, even before I was a dad, was for my kids to see me on the football field. More than just to think their dad was cool, the motivation has been rooted in their seeing that they can achieve not only their goals but also dreams they never thought possible when they take risks. Every time I’m on the field, it’s a risk. A lot is on the line, and I have to execute my job.

The standard I aim to set is that you have to work to improve each day. I don’t know how much longer I’ll play, but I want my kids to remember that Dad gave full effort. I saw this up close. I learned my work ethic from my dad, a banker who learned from his dad, a small business owner. Since the starter is one of the roles of a father, dads need to set the example for what a leader should be. Lean into this role. Your kids likely will grow up looking a lot like what you modeled when they were kids. Make sure you set the standard for your family.

The last two seasons, I was elected as a captain by my teammates. It’s a huge honor to be named captain, especially when you get a “C” patch put on your jersey. It speaks volumes to what your peers think of you on and off the field. Captains set the tone for the team and must lead by example. But the most important “captain patch” is the one I wear at home. My kids look to me to set the tone for how we treat others and how disciplined we are about our work. I fully support them to chase their dreams. I hold them when they are hurt, and I pick them up when they fall. Support is one of kids’ biggest needs, and involved dads are in the best position to provide it.

As a child, my parents exemplified a servant heart in our community. Their passion to this day is to help serve in the kitchen of their church. It’s that behind-the-scenes work that has shaped my approach to seeing and helping those around me. My first mission trip to Uganda in 2019 was “soul scarring.” It changed my perspective on how I view the world around me. Even halfway around the world in one of the poorest communities, servant principles remain. Be present with those nearest to you. Serve your family. Share burdens and lean on each other in good times and bad. Serving others is one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate that you care.

Dads should be ready to provide answers for their kids, like a sage. As my kids get older, I have seen the impact of being their “sage” by investing time in their development. For the last several years, I have volunteered as head coach for my sons’ baseball teams. Beyond throwing, catching, and hitting, the most important lesson I want my boys to learn is how to be coachable and a good teammate by working to improve themselves.

My oldest and I talked recently about how he wanted to play first base in baseball, so I said, “No one is going to give you the position. We have to work at it because the whole team is depending on you to catch the ball.” He has gotten to see how daily, consistent work helps you improve and achieve the goals you set. There are no shortcuts with hard work, only disciplined repetition—the same principle that has helped me play in the NFL for 15 years. Your kids are going look to you for guidance, too, because they trust you. Because one of the roles of a father is sage, we need teach our kids what it means to have integrity, character, and humility.

One of the defining characteristics of a good long snapper is being consistent and accurate. When a punter or kicker has a consistent snap, it gives a sense of security that they have one less thing to worry about before booting the ball down the field. In the same way, I want to be consistent in my home. My daily habits and treatment of my children need to give them the security of knowing that whatever is going on in their lives, their dad is ready and willing to help.

It’s a blessing to play in the NFL. It’s a privilege very few get to experience to play in front of your kids. No relationship can top family, and being a rock-solid source of security for your kids is irreplaceable. Kids who feel safe gain confidence. They take healthy risks. They set lofty goals. When they feel secure, they feel powerful. Be the security they need.

Being a dad is the most important job I’ll ever have. These five roles of a father have helped guide me daily as I try to improve and help my children grow into responsible adults with integrity, a strong work ethic, and humility.