Coach,
I know me playing threw you for a loop. You didn't know what to do with me. You came to Delaware looking to create a football program that this town could be proud of. And you've done just that and more. You've helped to create players and people that this town can be proud of. While I regret not kicking all through high school, I am so thankful that you came to coach the year I did play. You've made such a big impact on me as an athlete and as a person and I will forever be thankful for the lessons you taught me.
I can't tell you how much I appreciated you treating me like one of the boys. It was so difficult to go to practice those first few weeks of lifting because I felt so different from everyone else. I couldn't lift as much, I wasn't as loud, I just didn't feel comfortable trying to compete with those boys. But you and the other coaches held me to such high standards. You held me to the same level as the rest of the team and I cannot thank you enough.
Your practices and liftings and everything helped me mentally. I now know that my brain gives up before my body and that when I think I can't go anymore, I can push through at least one more 40 or one more P.A.T. But the second I let myself give up, I let myself lose. I am thankful for every suicide, every relay, every 40. Those runnings taught me so much and helped sculpt the athlete I am today.
I cannot thank you enough for the day that you reminded me how much worth I have to this program. Thank you for stopping me after practice. Thank you for reminding me that those who bash me and try to take away from all that I have accomplished, only do that because they could never accomplish what I have. Thank you for reminding me that I bring something to this team, and that my role, no matter how small, is important.
Thank you for the kind words at my signing day and for the kind words at the banquet. Thank you for believing in me and for believing that I will be successful in the future.
And for my senior night. Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance to score. Thank you for giving me the chance to watch that ball sail through the uprights. Thank you for giving me the chance to hear my name chanted by my classmates. Thank you. A million times thank you.
I will never be able to thank you enough for all you have done for me. All I can do is take what you've taught me, and use that when I coach. I cannot wait to impact athletes and people like you have me.
Good, better, best. Never, ever rest. Until your good is better, and your better is best.
As Always, Go Pacers,
Jordan
