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Will fell in love with the game of football — starting off in flag and eventually moving to tackle. As he approached what he hoped would be a fun high school football career, he worked hard to prepare – training with his team, eating healthy and working out. But, an injury days before his first big game ended his season. It’s his response to this disappointment that is really the story, though.
Will had been playing Little League football from the time he was in kindergarten. Every year his family looked forward to watching him and his friends, most of which were classmates also, playing football. This was all about to culminate in the beginning of his much anticipated high school football career.
The summer before his freshman year, Will worked hard. He attended conditioning and weightlifting camps all summer long.
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But then the week of his first high school football game, Will fractured his elbow. It was brutal – a full arm cast and a heart full of disappointment. All that hard work, working out and scrimmaging felt like it was for nothing.
When his parents asked him days later about what he wanted to do the rest of the season, without hesitation he said, “I’m not quitting… I’ll be there for my team and my friends.” He told his coaches he wanted to still be a part of the team and help however he could. The coaches happily accepted this and told him he was still a teammate and an injury doesn’t stop that.
Will went on to attend every practice, every team dinner and every game his freshman football team played. He showed up to varsity games and cheered on his teammates. He wore his jersey to school and on the fields. He helped with water, equipment and cheering on his friends.
Will learned that sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan and just because you work hard doesn’t mean you always get what you want. He learned that being a supportive teammate can be more rewarding than actually playing.
His parents reflect on the situation with pride. “We were even more proud that he stuck with it, never stopped showing up and kept his word to his coaches and teammates,” his mom, Erin, said.
“I hope that he never loses his tenacity and strength. I also hope he never loses his love for the game.”
