Some may call this cliche, but to me its the best way that I can reach everyone without accidentally forgetting someone (because there are a lot of people!) 13 years ago I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the game of football and I instantly fell in love with the game. There is something about it thats different than the other sports I played. I loved the satisfaction of scoring touchdowns and making tackles (who didnt/doesnt!?!) but most importantly I loved playing alongside my best friends. It all started by waking up early on Saturday mornings and being driven to my games by my dad. I can still remember being half asleep in the car ride over, yet I remember being nervous. Each and every time I put my pads on I couldt help but be excited. For those of you who dont know, I would consider myself to be a fairly competitive person (and this goes into just about everything I do) and I also remember crying after losses when I was in 4th grade. I didnt understand it at the time, but looking back on it, I do now. I loved this game, I loved winning, and every time I didnt I felt as if I let someone down, I let myself down. Once I got to high school I set my sights on playing football in college, like many I dreamed about playing Division 1 football. I pushed myself and helped push my teammates to be great. We won a lot of games and I was extremely lucky to be apart of those teams. Winning that state title as a senior was one of the best moments of my entire life. And then it was over...all my friends I had played with for years were done. And then came time to decide where I wanted to continue playing. People told me I was too small, too slow, I was weak and I wouldnt be able to play at the next level, maybe Division 3. I took it personally and as soon I as committed to UMD I promised myself that I would prove to them that I would make it. It all ended this past Saturday, waking up early and taking a bus to the field. Half asleep but nervous as could be. Sadly, the outcome wasnt what I had expected, take away a handful of serious injuries and theres no doubt in my mind that it would have been a lot closer than it was. With that being said, I was lucky to have met and made some of my best friends along the way. Wouldnt have wanted to go through this journey with anybody else. Well thats my story, and the only reason for it being so long is because of how much I loved this game. I just want to take a moment to single out a couple of people. First my parents, Cathy Roth and Terry, you guys gave me everything and more. The time, money and patience sacrificed for me is something that I can never truly thank you enough for. You demonstrated to me what it is like to be a hero, because that is what both of you are to me. If I could be half of the person you guys both are, I would call that a success. Secondly, my grandparents. Ed Sweeney and grandmom, and grandpa and grandma Roth. You guys came to nearly every single game in my 4 years here. People would always asked me where I got my care packages from and they would try to sneak things out of my bags on the bus. Im pretty lucky to have grandparents who care as much as you guys do. I did my best each and every week to make all of your time worthwhile. Also thank you to my many coaches Ive had along the way, my supporting relatives and my friends, you guys have made it all worth it. Lastly to my girlfriend Allie Krausert I wouldnt have wanted to teach anyone else the game of football more than I did with you! Thank you to everyone and to this game. It taught me a lot about teamwork, sacrifice and discipline. Cant wait to see what the next chapter of my life has in store!
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 01:45:26 +0000
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