#19: S.C. State Made Me

Playing football at South Carolina State University gave me the opportunity to enhance my college experience.  What I didn’t realize was how much it would have an effect on the rest of my life.  I’d by lying if I told you that I was a star player who’s name was on everybody’s mind in the stands.  I wasn’t.  I walked on with no scholarship and made the team.

I loved every minute of it.  From the long Tuesday night practices, to the bus trips up and down the eastern seaboard-the memories will always remain.  What matters most were the times when you fought side by side with your teammates against an opponent.  Win or lose, it was worth the challenge.

Football was one of my first passions and it remains that way to this day.  Like many sports, the game, when given its proper respect, teaches about life and how to work hard to get the things you want out of it.  Victories aren’t guaranteed.  The only promise is that if you work hard, you will build character.  That character can take you far in life.  At least that has been the case for me.

These are the memories that charge me up when get out and exercise.  I know what it’s like to be in 105 degree heat with an extra 25lbs of football gear on.  I know what its like to be completely exhausted, yet you find the will to push forward because you knew that your teammates were depending on you.  I know what it’s like to be down in a game with all but a thread of  hope is left and to take that thread, use it as a lifeline and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Fifteen years later, I still dream that it’s game day and we’re about to go into battle!  Even now while writing this post, I get so excited.  There will always be a part of me that wishes he could just get one more play….one more chance to wear the garnet and blue and go to battle with my guys!  Since I know this won’t happen, I have learned to redirect my energy and pour it into my effort to lose weight and share my story as I seek to motivate others into doing the same.  Enjoy the other videos and be sure to leave a comment!

Dreams Mean Work!

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