I always loved football.
I played in the backyard for hours at a time. I would stand at one end of the yard and throw passes to the other end of the yard trying to hit it in a trash can. My dad played catch all the time. I went to pro and college games from the time I was old enough to walk. I couldn't get enough of it (still feel the same).
I was also a bad asthmatic and not in the best shape. Matter of fact, mom would always have to shop for me in the "husky" section of the store.
But I still had dreams of playing football.
When I got to high school, I was ready to roll. The next best tight end. That was me. Then reality hit. There just isn't a lot of slow 5'6" 165 pound tight ends out there. I wasn't playing. I wasn't having fun. Dreams shattered.
One night, I decided to just skip practice and walk to my grandparents' house. Of course, my dad found out. He wasn't mad but he did insist that I shouldn't just quit. I made a commitment and I had to stick to it.
I went back to practice and apologized to the coach but my future in football was very much in question.
A few weeks later, a letter came in the mail. It was from a friend of my Dad who coached high school football. That letter changed my life forever and rekindled my love and desire to play this game.
"Ask yourself...is it all worth it? I assure you that it is. Of course, we are all frightened of the unknown...you will worry about how you are doing and what people are thinking about your performance. You can not go wrong when you give your best and let the chips fall where they may.
When you awake in the morning and you can tell the guy looking back at you in the mirror that you've given it your best shot, then that Joey, is self satisfaction. And when you are satisfied that you've given your best effort you don't care what other people say or think.
It's not important if you are first string or not, what is important is that football becomes a fun and worthwhile experience for you.
I always told my players that once you start something, see it through to the finish. Quitting becomes a habit. It's very difficult to quit something the first time but the more you do it, the easier it becomes to be a quitter.
I hope some of my thoughts on playing football will help you over the rough spots and erase some of the apprehension you might have about this wonderful sport."
I not only finished my freshman year but with the help of puberty and hard work, I became a three year varsity letter winner with all conference consideration. I am about ready to coach my 125th game for my boys and the fire I have for the sport burns brighter than ever.
Here's the thing though...that letter wasn't just about football but about everything in life. It gave me things for the game of football but more importantly, it gave me things for the game of life.
Football. Life. One's a small part of the other but the lessons in the huddle can last a lifetime.
Down. Set. Hut.
