Playing football was probably the most character-defining experience I've ever been a part of. These are just seven of the numerous things I miss about playing.
The Brotherhood
Nothing beats the familial sense of brothers being there for each other, both on and off the field. We all look different. We all hold different beliefs. We all come from different backgrounds. But when those fall Friday nights came around each week, we were all Barons. The great thing about team sports is how unifying they are, no matter how many differences any given two players had, we were all the same warriors, bleeding the big blue and gold. We went through the emotional highs and the emotional lows.
Camp
Football camp was the time during every off-season where the team first starts to really mesh. You got to know the other players on a deeper level and as people, not just athletes.
Two-a-days
It's not that I really miss the pain and tiredness that came with two-a-day practices, it's that they occurred right before the preseason, when the team starts self-identifying. It was a time to learn discipline, cohesion and teamwork.
Looking up to Leaders
I looked up to a lot of older guys for my first three seasons. While there are a bunch of people I could mention, the two that perhaps had the most profound impact on me and my playing were Diondre Anderson and Nana Twum Agyire.
Diondre is a year older than me and was everything I look for in a leader. He gave it his all during every practice and on every play. He exemplified accountability. I knew I could go to Diondre if I had a question or was having trouble with something. He knew when to be funny and when to be serious. He had such incredible passion when he ran the ball and cared so much about the team. Not to mention, as two guys who played defensive back, we're two of the biggest Redskins and Sean Taylor fans.
Nana was a different kind of leader but equally just as effective. Though Nana is two years older than me and we never played on the field at the same time, we still went through a lot together and have memories. Nana was second to none when it came to work ethic. I've never seen someone go the extra step the way Nana did, no matter if it was an extra rep in the weight room, an extra sprint for conditioning, or an extra ounce of effort. He believes in everyone and that we could all contribute in some way. I admired his drive to succeed and his inclusion of others.
Picking off Passes
I only picked off two passes in my four years playing but there is nothing like that feeling. They say time can slow down in sports. Intercepting a pass in a game is the quintessential moment for a defensive back and time definitely slowed down as the ball was in the air.
The Banquet
Free delicious food.
The Fans
It may be cliche, but I did appreciate the fans cheering us on. They got me pumped up and in the zone.
