As a S24 draft hopeful, I look forward to the day my name is called, and I get to shake the commissioner’s hand and receive my jersey. As a ball player out of high schools in Los Angeles, it was competitive to try and get into my dream school UCLA. I had seen the coach and recruiter both some scout my high school once. At the time, I was a clean shaven chap – naïve to the wonders of having a beard. I noticed something that day that would change my life. Both the UCLA coach and scout had face sweaters of their own. Large, well groomed, shiny beards. That was the day I stopped shaving aside from grooming my upper cheeks and lower neck.
The season wore on and they both returned to scout players again. I made sure to stand on the sidelines with my helmet off as often as I could, allowing my glorious new whiskers shine under the Friday night lights. During the 3rd quarter, I saw the scout elbow the coach the couple of times and point in my direction. As they looked over at me, I made sure to stroke my face. I immediately saw the scout scribble something down on his clipboard and then stroke his own beard. On the next drive I went out and sacked the University of Washington QB for a 7 yard loss on third down to put them out of field goal range. The clipboard received some more notes.
After the game I walked by both of them, made eye contact and said “gentlemen”, nodded my head, and then proceeded to walk into the locker room. 2 days later I applied some beard oil after my shower and walked outside to get the mail. There it was – my recruitment letter asking if I wanted to join the UCLA football team.
Beard is a way of life. It gave me the confidence to be a linebacker and shoot for my dream school. Growing and keeping one was the best decision I made in high school in college. Without it, I’m not sure I would have made it this far. I love you beard.
(363 Words)
The season wore on and they both returned to scout players again. I made sure to stand on the sidelines with my helmet off as often as I could, allowing my glorious new whiskers shine under the Friday night lights. During the 3rd quarter, I saw the scout elbow the coach the couple of times and point in my direction. As they looked over at me, I made sure to stroke my face. I immediately saw the scout scribble something down on his clipboard and then stroke his own beard. On the next drive I went out and sacked the University of Washington QB for a 7 yard loss on third down to put them out of field goal range. The clipboard received some more notes.
After the game I walked by both of them, made eye contact and said “gentlemen”, nodded my head, and then proceeded to walk into the locker room. 2 days later I applied some beard oil after my shower and walked outside to get the mail. There it was – my recruitment letter asking if I wanted to join the UCLA football team.
Beard is a way of life. It gave me the confidence to be a linebacker and shoot for my dream school. Growing and keeping one was the best decision I made in high school in college. Without it, I’m not sure I would have made it this far. I love you beard.
(363 Words)