Too small. Not fast enough. Not strong enough.
I've heard those sayings my entire life, and all of them have been directed at me.
Growing up I remember eating ramen for every meal, every single day. My mom and dad worked hard to carve out a living and things eventually got better, but I wasn't born with a silver spoon by any means. I like to believe that's where my journey started, in a cramped apartment, scraping by. I started playing sports in middle school and quickly fell in love with football and the allure of the running back position, but love isn't always returned. My coaches saw me as the "little guy", and always brushed me off to the side, choosing the bigger, more athletic guys over me. As a result my confidence took a hit. I wanted to quit so many times, but that love, that passion for football, and that anger, that I had built up for those that overlooked me burned too strong to be put out. My senior year I impressed, but I obviously wasn't impressive enough to garner NCAA interest. At first I thought that the end of my senior year and my lack of offers signaled the end of my college career, but I had always heeded the word of parents, prioritizing academics alongside football. Academics allowed me to attend USC, and while I was there, that fire, the one that had kept me from quitting, the one that burned deep in me, burned again. I wanted to play college football. So I decided to walk-on to the football team. I was again seen as the little guy. And I loved it. I loved that chip on my shoulder, as it just made that fire burn harder and as a result made me run harder. I enjoyed a my college career, but I set my sights on the dream. The NSFL. With the 57th pick, the first pick of the 8th round, I was taken by the San Jose SabreCats. The kid who grew up on ramen and was overlooked by everyone. I'm now a SabreCat, and I couldn't be happier. But as I've learned in life, the journey isn't over until it's over, and in certain mine isn't over quite yet.
To all the little guys, keep on pushing. Keep that fire burning, because it will take you far.
(400 Words, Ready to be graded.)
Graded
I've heard those sayings my entire life, and all of them have been directed at me.
Growing up I remember eating ramen for every meal, every single day. My mom and dad worked hard to carve out a living and things eventually got better, but I wasn't born with a silver spoon by any means. I like to believe that's where my journey started, in a cramped apartment, scraping by. I started playing sports in middle school and quickly fell in love with football and the allure of the running back position, but love isn't always returned. My coaches saw me as the "little guy", and always brushed me off to the side, choosing the bigger, more athletic guys over me. As a result my confidence took a hit. I wanted to quit so many times, but that love, that passion for football, and that anger, that I had built up for those that overlooked me burned too strong to be put out. My senior year I impressed, but I obviously wasn't impressive enough to garner NCAA interest. At first I thought that the end of my senior year and my lack of offers signaled the end of my college career, but I had always heeded the word of parents, prioritizing academics alongside football. Academics allowed me to attend USC, and while I was there, that fire, the one that had kept me from quitting, the one that burned deep in me, burned again. I wanted to play college football. So I decided to walk-on to the football team. I was again seen as the little guy. And I loved it. I loved that chip on my shoulder, as it just made that fire burn harder and as a result made me run harder. I enjoyed a my college career, but I set my sights on the dream. The NSFL. With the 57th pick, the first pick of the 8th round, I was taken by the San Jose SabreCats. The kid who grew up on ramen and was overlooked by everyone. I'm now a SabreCat, and I couldn't be happier. But as I've learned in life, the journey isn't over until it's over, and in certain mine isn't over quite yet.
To all the little guys, keep on pushing. Keep that fire burning, because it will take you far.
(400 Words, Ready to be graded.)
Graded
[div align=center] [div align=center]
Update Page
Update Page