Personal Statement

    I love the game of football.  It is my passion but it hasn't always been.  Growing up I've always been a basketball and football fan.  But, I wanted to be a basketball superstar.  However, I knew I didn't fit that mold.  I was tall for my age but I was also a large, couldn't jump very high and wasn't as fast as many boys my age.  Not the characteristics you expect in a basketball star.  However, I worked hard and diligently each day to develop my skills.  I practiced shooting, agility, and began running daily to increase my endurance and speed.  I became quicker, stronger and more confident in my shooting ability. 

    By the time I got to my last year of middle school I was ready to tryout for the school basketball team.  I even chose to give up going on a short trip so that I could tryout early.  I felt so confident going into this tryout.  However, at the end of the tryout,  and to the shock of myself and many others, I didn't make the team.  I was devastated but took the news and went home disappointed by what had happened.  My dad took me to the side and simply said, "Son, you can either let this make you or let it break you."  That simple statement was what I needed at the time.  The way I looked at the situation was how I would allow it to affect me.  I redirected my focus from looking at a failure to looking at what I had done to get to this place in my life.  I knew I was strong, fast and so much healthier than I'd ever been but the situation also showed me characteristics about myself that were profound.  It showed me that I was driven, passionate, reflective and determined.  I still love the game of basketball but I turned my disappointment into a learning experience and used my characteristics to deepen my understanding and commitment to the other game I love, football.

    The same traits and skill set I focused on for basketball was only preparing me for what I needed to be successful in football.  Although I played some form of football since a young age, I never saw how it was developing me as a football player.  Every extra effort I put into developing myself paid off.  I was able to understand the daily small tasks were just as important at the larger goal.  Upon entering high school, I decided to tryout for the football team.  My coaches saw that I was fast, strong, and ready to learn as much as I could to develop my football skill set.  As a result of this, I not only made the football team but as a freshman was able to play, a lot! I was a vital part in my teams overall success.

    I know success requires more.  It requires more time, more effort, more energy, more drive, and more determination.  Because of this mentality, I have not only found success on the football field but also in the classroom.  The "more" I apply to my academic work has allowed me to consistently be an honor roll student while taking accelerated courses.  I know I am a hard worker on and off the field.