I started playing football in 7th grade. I had never played it before and was only really playing it because I was bored and my family kept telling me to. Mostly my Grandpa and my Uncle, they both played football for different teams, and my Grandpa has been a high school coach for many years. I thought football was a waste of time and that playing would finally help me realize that, but it didn't. The first couple of days were mostly just conditioning, which I was kind of used to because I've played sports all my life, but it was harder because I had never played in the heat. It was exhausting, and I was always thirsty. I tried my hardest anyway because I believe that if you're going to do something, you might as well do it to the best of your ability. They would always ask me what position I wanted to play, but I only knew wide receiver, so of course I said that.

After the first week or two, the team started to build a bond, and that's when I realized that football was way more than a sport; it was a family. A group of people who work together to complete the same thing. We always had each other's backs no matter what, and that was the beauty of it. So I stuck with it. In my 8th-grade year, they moved me to a whole different position. It was a big change because I was never on the offensive line. But I still gave it my all. We had one of our best seasons in a long time. That year, I won the coach's award; they thought that I had shown the most perseverance and strength. But I was scared about my freshman year, I thought that I would never get to play.

That summer, just before the first practice, I was super scared. I thought I would be an outcast, but the team was super nice, and the Seniors always helped. It felt amazing being in a community like that. I always tried my hardest during practice because I wanted to at least get in the game a little, but the day before the first game, my coach pulled me into his office to talk. They told me I was going to be starting, and it was my time to show how I played. I did pretty well for a little freshman. Freshman year was a great one for my football team, and it gave me the strength I needed to continue.

I was so excited to play my Sophomore year and could not wait. I was sweating and out of shape, but I was still going to try my hardest. My coaches said that I could try wide receiver, and it wasn't too bad. But right before the first game, the coach told me I would be forced to play on the offensive line. After the game, I got very sick, I was nonstop throwing up, and was very tired. I went to the doctor, and they told me I had mono. I had to sit out for 8 weeks; I was miserable. I couldn't do anything. But my football family got me through, I can’t wait until next year.

© Branden. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.