Freshman Playing Time

It is an honor to receive playing time as a freshman when on a team as talented as Trinity University’s football team. Only two freshmen saw constant playing time during the highest level of competition for football, Tino Hong and me. Tino Hong is 6’4’’ and weighs 325 pounds. He plays offensive-line at the tackle position, on of the most important position because he protects the quarterback’s blind side. I play the safety position. My assignments are to defend against the passes and help on when the other team runs the ball. There were 11 other players who played my position alone; two seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and two other freshmen.
I came in at a disadvantage because of an injury I had occurred during the summer, which prohibited me from participating in the early practices and events. Once I was released by the medical staff to play, I made sure I was the first player to practice and the last player to leave practice. Whether it was extra condition of extra drills to improve a particular skill, I put in the excess time so that I can catch up with the other players playing me position.
It was not long until the all extra I put in to catch up had allowed me to pass the others and earn me a spot on the traveling roster. However, even though I was getting more playing time than seniors and juniors, I was still required to full-fill my freshman duties and carry their bags and stand at the back to of the dinner line. I played in the first four away games, and recorded 17 tackles, third most on the team at the time. Our first home game was the one I was most excited for. My family was coming down and many of my friends would be able to watch me play. During the first series of the fourth quarter, I tore my ACL. The injury ended my freshman season, and the tons of fun that came with playing football.
My freshman year was a stereotypical bitter-sweet ending. I had battle back from a prior injury to become one of the only two freshmen to receive valuable playing time, but it was all snatched away by a wrong planting of my left foot. It was full receiving playing time as a freshman, but that season is over and another one has begun. By the way, I am number 20.

We Are More than Football Players

Often times football players are stereotyped into categories that are not necessary reflecting who the players are. Walking around Trinity I have learned that others believe “football players are dumb jocks who are obsessed with having being muscles and bigger egos.” How can that not be proven correct? Many football players on television are shown making absurd comments and even ludicrous actions. They are played millions of dollars to run, pass, or tackle someone who once played with a ball made from pig skin. Being a football myself, I will protest to this stereotype with my last breathe! Football players train all year around to play anywhere from 10 to 19 games. These games are brutally violent we the opposing player is literally trying to cause you and your teammates physical harm every second of play. We are protected by equipment; however, it is you family or teammates who keep you safe. Knowing in your heart that your teammate is going to do his job so that you can do yours is enough to psychologically block the danger of the sport and provide enjoyment for spectators. Looking at us “dumb jock football players” from the stands we are dumb enough to play again that causes us to protect and attack our opposition. But because we care for providing you all with entertainment, and we love-not the violence-the opportunity it gives us to sacrifice our body for someone else.