You were in middle school when you fell in love with the game. You spent every hour of every day in the gym. You were undersized and you knew you would be overlooked. It was you against the world but you had speed and speed kills. Your rookie season was a dream. It was the dream that woke you up in the middle of the night heart pounding, a huge smile spread across your face. You were convinced that this was your destiny.
After each game the opposing coach would come and shake your hand and tell you. "you've got something special". You knew you were special. So you worked harder than ever. You had tunnel vision. This was your ticket out of this town.
Heading into your freshman year of high school you got asked to play for Woodbury United. You'll never forget how good you felt when you got that email. You knew this was the chance you needed.
You spent all February training for the season but you pushed too hard. By the time the season started, you could barely throw a ball. There was a piercing, breathtaking pain in your throwing shoulder. You knew something was very wrong but you refused to tell anyone you were hurt. This season was yours to lose and you weren't going to let a little injury slow you down.
The season began and you weren't the same player. You couldn't do what made you great. Your coach and your parents started to sense something was wrong but you just kept your mouth shut and said it was "just a bad game". But you'll never forget the day that changed your life.
You don't remember the team you were playing against. You don't remember the weather. You don't remember anything but that one play. You were on the offensive side of the ball. Your world started to go black but you refused to quit. The ball got turned over, headed the other way. All your instincts were telling you to go get the ball but your feet were in cement. You weren't in control anymore, your injury was. You don't remember what happened next. Your world went completely dark. Your head was pounding. You thought you were going to be sick. Your body gave out but your heart never did. You were over in the blink of the eye.
You'll never forget the end of the game, running to your dad's truck. Gear still on, you broke down sobbing. You were scared out of your mind. Everything you dreamed of as a little kid was slipping through your fingers and there was nothing you could do to stop it. It was over, you were done. The words "career ending" still make your heart stop to this day.
The following two years were spent in different doctors offices. Desperately searching for what was already far gone. You will never be the same.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about what could have been. But I know I can say that I gave the game of lacrosse everything I had. Lacrosse, you asked for my hustle and I gave you my heart. I gave you everything. And no matter what happens next, we both know that I'll always be the kid with ten seconds left on the clock, ball in my hands and ready to take on the world.
