TOUCHDOWNS AND TRANSFORMATIONS: HOW FOOTBALL DEFINED MY PATH

Football changed my life. I acknowledge, this is a bold claim to make from a girl who's never played a game of football. All of my major life experiences center around this sport; from childhood memories of watching NFL games with my dad, all of my favorite shows being football themed, to my very first college game. To me, football is more than just entertainment; it's been a key force in shaping who I am today.

The summer after 11th grade, the optimism of childhood innocence withered away and the realities of life set in. The summer work that all my classmates seemed to be getting through in a breeze left me drained. In an attempt to relax, I binge-watched the latest season of one my favorite shows, All-American. The protagonist, Spencer James, was always the best player on the field, until college. Everyone was equally good or better. After hard work and many mistakes, by the end of the season, Spencer James was the star of the team.

I connected with his character. That’s when I realized my classmates weren’t smarter than me, they out worked me. Like Spencer, that was just the beginning. I drew my own game plans, listing out characteristics that I was lacking, and how I would achieve them. In order to progress I needed a shift in mindset. Since implementing these strategies, I have become more aware of my weaknesses. I am now able to view others as a source of inspiration instead of discouragement and use my mistakes as motivation.

Now I can’t look at the game of football and just see entertainment. At the University of Georgia, surrounded by football culture, I am constantly reminded of the importance of grit and determination. All of which I have football to thank.