“Today you have earned the privilege to be called men.” Coach Green bestowed that honor with an impassioned stare to each of his players. When their yelps subsided, he continued. “I could not be prouder than if you were my own sons.” He let a brief moment of silence convey the emotion a proud father shares with a son.

In 1954, on a mountain of testosterone, Curt knew he was different from his high school football teammates. But listening to the coach’s congratulatory speech, Curt was simply drawn into the tide of emotion being chanted in response.

In a softer tone, the coach continued, “You became men because of your fellowship to this team.”

Claudia had waited for him just outside the locker room and, on a sexual conquest, Curt imagined the fellowship the coach had hinted to.

“Yes, coach,” he softly responded, “I have become a man.”

Masculinity and #MeToo

Socialization of men