As some of you guys know, soccer used to be my life. I would train for hours every day and spent countless weekends traveling all over California. With this, I always wanted to win. Winning a soccer game was the most important thing in my life.
However, a year and a half ago. I decided to hang up the cleats. This was a game I dedicated most of my life to, hours after school training and countless games on the weekends.
A question I’ve gotten asked a million times, was why did I leave soccer.
A few weeks before my last soccer game was the end of my junior year of football. It was a heartbreaking loss that made me feel more emotions than any soccer game could. I promised myself that by next year, I wouldn’t be sad because it was my last time putting on the pads, but happy because my college football journey was just starting. That summer I spent hours in the gym and on the field trying to perfect my craft.
With only a Month left until the first game of the season. I had a sharp pain in my ankle, I got it checked out and it was a low level stress fracture. This had me in a walking boot for the last month of summer training. I had no clue if I was even going to be able to play in a game this season. However, I got cleared 5 days before the first game of the season.
Once I got cleared, I set a goal of getting a thousand receiving yards and breaking my school record.
Once I got cleared, I set a goal of getting a thousand receiving yards and breaking my school record.
Fast forward 9 weeks, with the last game of the season where I broke the record. Most people would think I would remember my 30 yard catch to break the record. But what stood with me the most from that night, was the dropped catch I had just a few plays before. All I needed was 30 yards for the record, I beat my defender and saw the ball.
I had the ball right in my hands, yet I was so focused on the record that the ball slipped and hit the ground. I would have broken the record by 50 yards, yet I dropped it. A few minutes later, I was sitting on the bench with no chance of breaking the record.
But because a few of my teammates stepped up, I was able to barely break it.
My biggest take away from RHP isn’t a huge life lesson I will live with for the rest of my life. It was a ton of little memories like going on trips outside of school, to having a discussion with someone who I hardly knew. I will always remember the night I reached my goal, but I will always remember the little things that RHP has given me.
Shoutouts:
To all my teachers - Thank you guys for a long 8 years and always helping me outside of class
Mr. Quan - I still think you did something to Mr. Ramos. You have been a great advisor and teacher
Ms. Collins - Thank you for keeping me on track and helping me balance sports and school
Football Team - It's been a long ride. It was a pleasure playing next to yall boys
Manhattan boys - Even though we haven't been friends for a while, it’s been some good nights
Gabe, Braden and Jacob - I know you guys are going to do some great things in college. And Braden good luck next year
Kyle - If it wasn’t for you pushing me to the ground every day when we were younger, I don’t think I would be who I am today. You truly made me the competitor I am today
Mom - Having you always home after practices or school always gave me something familiar to see. I know I haven't given you the easiest time, I truly am thankful for everything you do for me.
Dad - You have always been someone I looked up to. Whether it was recruiting or just being a dad, you were always honest to me and told me if I played badly in a game. Which made for some interesting car rides. Thank you for taking me all around the country for soccer and football You have always been a hero of mine.