Why I Play Hard for the 49ers
I remember personally, draft day. My name during that long weekend never got called. While sitting on my parents' couch in Greensboro, North Carolina, I wanted so badly for the commissioner to call my name, but that never happened. While driving back to school, James Harris, Director of Personnel, called and offered me a free agent contract. Later on that week I signed a contract to join the Baltimore Ravens, with no signing bonus. I remember leaving for camp and taking everything I owned because I knew I was not coming home. Through 2 ACL surgeries and NFL Europe, nine years later I am still somewhat waiting for someone to recognize my talent, and we are a pretty good team that has some growing pains. I think Bryant Young said it the best a couple days ago, "There are no moral victories in football". We are supposed to play hard, be on time, and give 100% everyday. When I am on the field, I love playing against guys who were drafted, the big time All-Americans, and other celebrity athletes. At the end of the game, what is more important to me than any paycheck, endorsement deal, and any television camera, is the respect I get from other players; the look I get from coaches when they want to see whose face is under the helmet. The stare from your compettion when you're warming up before the game because they know I play with every ounce of passion in my body. I play hard because players like Willie Roaf and John Ogden made me play that way in practice everyday. I play for the coaches who work 70 plus hours a week. I play for Athletes from smaller schools because I want to pave the way for them, for those fans who can not afford a ticket to the game. I also play for those former athletes who are no longer in the NFL. I remember sitting and watching old NFL highlight films, on VHS tapes at Howard University, listening to John Randle, L.T., Reggie White and others talk about the game. I always thought about what could I do to make it, and be successful. Those thoughts made me realize that I had to be "true to the game", I could not cheat it. I was going to have to come early and stay late, study my compettion, and take advantage of every mistake made by the offense on Sunday. Nine years later I still play for all those reasons. I have a family now, so that means the list only grows, but so does my passion on the field.
ShakespeareD said November 07, 2007
rayj0101 said November 08, 2007
Valencia said November 08, 2007
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NinerAJ said November 08, 2007
sportsnorts said November 08, 2007
BennyBlanco said November 08, 2007
mikeeng said November 09, 2007
59for49ers said November 09, 2007
jfainsf49 said November 09, 2007
xxxxxxx said November 11, 2007
infamie said March 14, 2008