Ever since I can remember football has been my one true passion. I've gotten into other hobbies and sports but football has been the only one that has stuck with me my entire life thus far. My first baby pictures even have me holding a football in them. Growing up I used to throw the ball up to myself and make diving catches into the couches in my living room and keep my feet inside the carpet as if it were a sideline.

I actually may not even have had a choice about what my passion was going to be in life. My family is a football family, this starting with my grandfather who played for the Boston Patriots from 1960-1969 as a wide receiver and many others in my family have played college football. My extended family has been getting together for Patriots games for as long as I can remember, whether they're just playing the Bills or in the Superbowl.

Even though my family is a football family, my parents did not allow me to play until 5th grade. They thought the sport was too dangerous and wanted my brothers and I to be more developed before we started smashing our heads into people. However since 5th grade there has been no doubt in my mind what my favorite thing to do is.

Highschool football was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It built relationships that will last me a lifetime. Through off-season training, two-a-days and practice; we had no choice but to support each other. It's all the friends you grew up with going into a competitive enviroment every Friday night. All eleven guys on the field have to work as one to accomplish the same common goal. When you reach that goal, like we did our senior year by defeating our arch rival for the first time in eight years on Thanksgiving day, there is no better reward.

Nowadays I can only play flag football or watch because I decided to focus on academics instead of continuing my career. However I'm more passionate about it than ever and hope to one day work in the front office of an NFL organization. Whether it is playing under the lights in highschool, just playing pass at a tailgate or playing flag football, it's still football and I love it.