It is not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making sports center. It is a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, and to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we do not even know. We do not practice with a future NFL linebacker; we practice with a future peace corp. volunteer. We do not lift with a future first round pick; we lift with a future doctor. We do not run with a future free agent; we run with a future CEO. It is a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 4,000 fans; sometimes 400. But, we still play hard.
You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you we are students first. We do not sign autographs. We sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or a tackle, we do not let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches and fans. The hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. In that class we are nothing more than students. It is about pride in us, in our school. It is about our love and passion for the game of football. When it is over, when we walk off the field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But, deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim. We are college football players.
-A Earlham College football player (Shaun Humphrey)
0 comments:
Post a Comment