Matt Cross hadn't always been so focused on football. Throughout middle school and his first 2 years of high school, Cross actually wrestled more than anything. And he was good at it too, he had developed a masterful technique at a young age due to his father's (a former UFC Fighter and championship belt holder) additional training and practices. In his 2 years wrestling in high school, Cross held a 19-1 record and already had colleges contacting and recruiting him. It was after his sophomore year when he would have to face the toughest decision in his life. Cross had also been playing football throughout his schooling, he found the sport to be incredible fun, and the team bonding that took place helped him make a lot of great friends. He wasn't the best athlete out on the field though, while he had good strength and quickness from his wrestling training, his technique was incredibly rough starting out because of his inexperience.
Cross knew that he couldn't play both sports forever. A decision would have to be made, wrestling or football? Thinking about the answer was agonizing for Cross. He loved both sports so much. While he was definitely a better wrestler, and had early contact with colleges across the country, he also believed in his potential to become a great football player too. Cross talked with his father a lot about which sport he should pursue, and which one he should give up, and his father would offer words of advice and wisdom for him to reflect on, but never definitively give his opinion on which to choose. Cross appreciated this, he never felt pressure from his father to follow his path as a wrestler and fighter. He was free to make his own choice. After a lot of internal debate, Cross decided to forego wrestling and pursue football full time. At times, Cross had felt his success as a wrestler was coming too easily, as if he didn't need to put in extensive effort to win. This was in part due to his natural talents, but he also knew he had a great advantage with the training he received from his father. But Cross didn't want to take the easy path. He wanted to make his own legacy and truly earn his success with his own power. So, Cross left a promising career in wrestling in order to take a risk and explore a new and exciting path.
Cross knew that he couldn't play both sports forever. A decision would have to be made, wrestling or football? Thinking about the answer was agonizing for Cross. He loved both sports so much. While he was definitely a better wrestler, and had early contact with colleges across the country, he also believed in his potential to become a great football player too. Cross talked with his father a lot about which sport he should pursue, and which one he should give up, and his father would offer words of advice and wisdom for him to reflect on, but never definitively give his opinion on which to choose. Cross appreciated this, he never felt pressure from his father to follow his path as a wrestler and fighter. He was free to make his own choice. After a lot of internal debate, Cross decided to forego wrestling and pursue football full time. At times, Cross had felt his success as a wrestler was coming too easily, as if he didn't need to put in extensive effort to win. This was in part due to his natural talents, but he also knew he had a great advantage with the training he received from his father. But Cross didn't want to take the easy path. He wanted to make his own legacy and truly earn his success with his own power. So, Cross left a promising career in wrestling in order to take a risk and explore a new and exciting path.