The Little Things.

            High school for me isn’t the best experience nor is it the worst, but one thing that really changed that all around for me was being the football manager. Those boys have so much heart and determination. I am very glad I let my barrier down and got the guts to be the manager. Every practice and game, I learned a little more about the boys. They became my brothers. They never disrespected my sister and I. They said please and thank you. I do not think any of the boys know nor have the slightest idea that they have taught me so much. They have taught me to be myself, and generally just enjoy the little things in life.

One game I will never forget was the Winslow game. I swear that moment changed my life. They were down, and some of them were mad. I understand why. They worked so hard at practice. They never gave up. One of the boys was standing there and just staring at the field, and I asked if he wanted water. He never responded, so just when I was about to walk away, he said, “I’m freakin’ tired of losing.” Of course, he didn’t say “freakin,” and he said other things to me, but I understood. Tears rolled down his face, and I didn’t want to cry, so I walked away. I didn’t know what to say. There were so many emotions flying around, and I was in the middle of it. I tried to stay out of everyone’s way and be the best help I could be. After the game, the boy apologized. I still didn’t know what to say. I told my mom everything that happened. She told me, “Those boys have the biggest hearts ever. They were losing, and they never gave up.”That was exactly true.

The Monday we came back to school, I heard some person say, “The boys lost. Of course, they never win. They suck.” That comment just really made me mad. They didn’t know how hard they worked at practice. They didn’t really know anything about those boys. I didn’t say anything, but later a boy said to me, “The football team got beat so bad by Winslow.” Of course, I had to say something I cared about those boys so much, so I said, “You don’t know how hard they work, so as long as you aren’t trying out there, don’t say anything.” He is a friend of mine, and he didn’t say anything back. Later that evening I went to practice and the boys were back to themselves, hilarious and weird.

 I’ll always remember the most humble player saying to the team, “Don’t give up, guys.” Then he tapped his brother on the shoulder. I’ll always remember freezing, and trying to keep warm. I’ll always remember tripping over the water bottles when Daniel intercepted ball, and there were so many people at the game. I’ll always remember these were the greatest moments in high school. I’ll always remember senior night crying, and one of the boys said to me, “Thanks for everything.”

They have taught me to be me again. I will never regret being the football manager. So take chances, and go out of your comfort zone and do something you’ve always wanted to do.