To my ex-coach, Honestly, I don't even think you deserve the title, to begin with. Before you, I had spent the last 10 years of my life eating, breathing and sleeping soccer. It was a game I'd fallen in love with. I loved the smell of fresh cut grass and the sound of my cleats dribbling the ball.
I loved those weekend long tournaments in hotel rooms with my team. I love everything about it. That is until you came along. I walked into tryouts feeling as confident as ever. I knew I had the skills to hold my own and I knew I could do it.
However, it was clear early on that you didn't think the same. It was clear that all you wanted me to do was quit. You didn't want me on the team, I didn't fit your little dream.
But, you didn't have to try so continuously to break me.
You didn't need to be so brutal.
You didn't need to embarrass me in front of the entire team.
You didn't need to strip me of worth.
You didn't have to take away my skills.
You didn't need to make me hate the game.
Because of you, I now can't even think about soccer without having a sinking feeling in my gut and a feeling that I may actually not be good enough. Because of you, I no longer thought I was good enough. Now, what kind of coaching is that?
You see, I had always had coaches who would coach me to become a better player.
They'd stay late until I mastered a new skill or finished the workout.
They would always cheer me on, whether I'd had a bad game or a good game.
They would never think to tear me down.
They made me love the game. And that's where you're so different.
You lived and breathed to ruin the game for me.
You enjoyed destroying dreams. You loved taking away a kid's passion.
You see, you didn't care about any of us. You wanted a trophy and that was all. And you know what? I hope all those trophies were worth it to you... Oh wait, that's right. You never got one, did you?
What goes around comes around, and don't you forget it "coach."
Sincerely,
The player that you never gave a chance.