You’ll never forget that winning buzzer beater, that last minute touchdown to send you to the playoffs. Celebrating with your team while the fans go wild, and looking back at your coach knowing you made them proud. Or the early morning workouts, and giving up your Friday nights because you had practice.
The mental and physical challenge teaches you more life lessons than you would ever expect. You learn to work with others to achieve a common goal. You realize, the hard way, that when someone yells at you it isn’t always meant to be offensive and you have to listen and grow from it.
Your dad might not be your best friend for a few weeks, but he only wants the best for you. He will be the one putting in extra hours teaching you the little skills in the driveway you don’t have time to go over in practice. Your mom will always tell you every game is your best game, because to her it was. No matter what, they will always be your number one fans.
You will beat your friends up in practice, but laugh about the things your coach said as soon as you leave. Those same people will get to know you better than anyone with all the time committed, and sharing the same passion for the sport. The long bus rides together, getting yelled at because you are messing around too much in practice, and the late night McDonalds runs because it’s the only thing open when you leave practice will create a bond you’ll never forget.
You will sacrifice your body doing something you love, but at such a young age it will seem completely worth it. You can deal with the injuries in a few years.
Looking in the stands and seeing the younger players watch you with amazement is one of the most rewarding feelings. To them, you are the best, and what they are aiming to become.
The memories will last with you forever. Clip all your newspaper articles and save them. Always buy the team picture, even though they are overpriced. You will look back on those four years for the rest of your life, always wishing you could have just one more shot at it.
