Category: Sports

When I was a kid, my dad would take me to the public library and show me old newspaper articles from when he played basketball in high school and junior college.

He was a talented player, and those articles served as proof of his skills. While some may view this as dwelling in the past or being a “fallen star,” I am grateful for that experience as it was crucial for my own success in sports.

Knowing our history is key to being prepared for the future, having pride, and understanding our roots. Learning about my dad’s athletic achievements instilled confidence in me and showed me what was possible. It made me appreciate the athletic genetics I inherited and the rewards of hard work.

Now, I do the same with my teenage nephew, sharing my own sports accomplishments and stories about his parents’ athletic abilities. I believe this knowledge will give him a sense of pride and confidence.

It is important to learn our history, not just within our family but within our entire race, and to reflect on our own achievements in life. Recognizing the positive things said about us, the goals we have accomplished, big or small, serves as a reminder of our potential.

Learning our history is invaluable, and no one should take that away from us. The more we learn, the better we will be in the future.

Growing up, I would often see adults with bad backs, sore knees, or other worn-down body parts. Most of the time, they would explain how they had played sports or engaged in physical activities when they were younger, and now their bodies were feeling the effects years later.

I know I’m not immune to this situation. There have already been moments when I wake up in the morning with sore joints or other body parts, seemingly for no reason. I understand that it’s due to years of playing sports and my failure to take preventative measures to care for my body.

This principle applies not just physically, but in life in general. Many of our current actions or past behaviors will impact us in the future. It’s important not to be naive and assume that it can’t happen to us or that we’re exceptions to the rule.

Fortunately, there are preventative measures we can take now to avoid problems later on. Therefore, whatever we do at present, whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual, we should consider whether the future version of ourselves will be satisfied with our current choices.

Some things may feel pleasurable in the moment but won’t age well over time, while others may not feel good initially but will be highly beneficial in the future. I’m fine with how my body feels right now based on my past actions, but I also acknowledge that I must accept the consequences of those actions and take steps to improve my future well-being.

It’s crucial to ensure that the future version of yourself will be content with the choices you’re making right now.

You should always feel encouraged when other people experience success, not discouraged. Just because someone else succeeds doesn’t mean you can’t as well.

When I played football, if I wasn’t in the game and another running back was performing well, I never got upset, jealous, or discouraged about not playing. I would be happy for their success. I’d get encouraged because I knew that if they were able to succeed on the field, I could achieve the same, if not more.

When you see someone doing something in life that you’d like to achieve, whether they’re a peer or a competitor, just know that you can attain the same level of success. Let their accomplishments serve as an example of what’s possible.

We can all succeed in life. Success is not a limited resource. Be encouraged when others find their success, and know that yours will come too.

There are times as a football player when it feels like your coach is overcoaching you or even miscoaching you. They might try to blame you or correct something that they think you’ve done wrong, when in reality, you weren’t in the wrong.

In those situations, instead of having a rebuttal or trying to tell your coach that perhaps they might be wrong in this situation, the best thing you can do is listen, then say, “Yes, coach,” and leave it at that.

Whether it’s a sport or just life in general, sometimes your coach, parents, supervisor, or anyone in authority over you, their guidance might be incorrect or unnecessary, but it’s important to maintain your respect for the person as well as avoid any conflict that will be counterproductive.

It’s similar to the quote “Never outshine your master.” You should not try to show off or be better than the person who is teaching or guiding you. It’s important to respect their knowledge and authority while learning from them.

It’s a humbling thing to do at times, especially when you know you’re right, but even that humbling experience will make you a better athlete or person. You’ll know how to interact with authority better and how to continue to improve, even if coached the wrong way.

One of my earliest memories of college football that had a significant impact on me was during fall football camp in my freshman year.

During a play, one of our older players suffered a major injury, causing the athletic trainers to rush onto the field to assist the player in pain. At that moment, our head coach yelled “Riverside!” In football’s context, when “Riverside” is shouted during practice, it signifies that the offense should go in the opposite direction on the field, allowing practice to continue while the injured player remains on the field.

That day, practice carried on, and unfortunately, the injured player never played football again. It was astonishing to experience for the first time, but it became normalized as injuries occurred frequently.

Whether it was practice or a game, when someone gets injured, the show goes on without them, even if they are a notable player like Aaron Rodgers. This taught me that people are attracted to your gifts, not necessarily you as an individual. Once your gift is gone, they will move on to the next person.

The negative aspect I learned from witnessing this happen repeatedly over time is that we are not as important as we believe ourselves to be. However, the positive aspect is also realizing that we are not as important as we think we are.

Play to win, not to not lose. Playing to win means focusing on success, while playing not to lose merely aims to prevent mistakes.

In any situation, adopt a realistic approach but avoid excessive conservatism. Embrace some level of risk-taking. Always have faith in yourself and bet on your abilities.

Although playing not to lose may result in occasional victories, it may not surpass the achievements of someone who plays to win.

Whether it’s academics, sports, work, pursuing a dream, or any other endeavor, always strive to win.

Playing to win requires confidence, which is built through faith and preparation. Therefore, in your current circumstances or future endeavors, adopt a mindset of playing to win.

I enjoy watching youth sports because it’s amazing to see kids progress from having no knowledge or skill of the sport to becoming well-developed athletes as they grow older.

Some kids may be naturally gifted, but even they need to train and improve their skills. Watching kids is a reminder that we can do anything we want. Even if we don’t start off being good at something, with time and effort, we can become proficient.

Just like kids can’t quit basketball if they want to achieve their full potential, we can’t give up on our goals and aspirations. It’s never too late to learn something new. Find something you want to accomplish, put in the time and effort, and watch the results show.