This year, he was very excited about playing. The first few practices, he really put out and worked hard. Now, he just stands around on the field and puts forth no effort at all. He slowly jogs the laps, never walking, but never really running either. We've talked to his coach and tried lots of different things to try and motivate him.
Nothing seems to work.
Without knowing why he isn't trying, I've run out of ideas. I'm even thinking of pulling him from the team, because it doesn't seem fair to the other players for him to not pull his weight on the team. The first practice of the season in pads, I watched him manhandle a second year PeeWee Starter on the line, doing blocking drills. I also watched him wipe out the star running back in a tackling drill. I know what he's capable of, as does the coach, and himself.