Finishing your way Life has an interesting way of circling back around on some things. Due to a negative attitude, I did not do well as I could have in football as an adolescent and was kicked off a college team due to arrogance. After this debacle I joined the military and told myself if I ever got the chance to play football again I would not squander the opportunity. I would respect the gift of a second chance, work hard, and be good teammate; to end playing football in a positive and honorable fashion. Several years ago I was in Oklahoma and I went to try out for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, an Arena2 Football League team, which is no longer in existence. I drove the 90 minutes to the tryout site and then my nerves hit. I drove around the block where the tryout was to take place three times and thinking “Maybe I should just go home. My skills are not what they once were. What if I fail?” And then it hit me. I was a combat veteran with multiple battles under my belt and here I was more nervous than I had ever been in war. I laughed at myself for being ridiculous, parked my car, and ventured inside the facility. I went into the bathroom and there were two guys, one throwing up and the other washing his face. We exchanged pleasantries and both of them stated that they were worried that this would be the only chance in their lives to make it in any type of professional football. My reply to them was: “Hey, if you do not make it today, does it make you less of a person? Does a poor performance today doom you to have a life without meaning? Do you really believe you will never get another chance? Does not winning today mean you are never going to accomplish great things in your life? No, it does not.” The guys nodded in agreement and three of us went through the tryouts. Both of those guys did well and were invited to the team’s training camp. I did pretty well but not well enough to be invited to the training camp and that was ok. Even though I did not win that day, I never gave up. Eventually I did make it on another team. I played two seasons with the San Antonio Warriors, a very accomplished and distinguished semi-professional football team. I played with some greatest men I have ever met and we won the National Championship my first season and a Division Title my second season. The span between when I left football after getting cut in college to playing in semi professional was 16 years. It is all about understanding what you could have done better in certain situations in life. Making the promise to yourself that if you get the chance to do it over again you will do it right the next time. Be grateful to those who helped, supported, and believed in you. And returning the favor for the next person you meet working hard to realize a dream. agb – 13 July 2014 revised from original posting 17 Mar 2013
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:56:29 +0000
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