Personal Statement
I have grown up around sports all my life. I first played soccer for one year when I was six, this was my first time playing organized sports. Second, I started playing basketball in the second grade and have continued playing ever since. My favorite sport by far, however, was football. The love of the game had been passed down by generation starting with my grandfather. I would find myself every Sunday sitting beside my father and brother watching each Raiders football game, and knowing that there is no better sport to both watch, and play. I began to play organized touch football when I was in the seventh grade, and my first year of tackle when I was in the eighth grade (in which I won MVP). One skill set I have picked up that helped me excel on both the field and in the classroom, is my constant discipline and respect toward all my superiors. This respect is learned from both my parents which have instilled adequate behavior on both my brother and me.
As a thirteen-year-old spectator, watching my older brother, and his 2015 high school football team win the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA championship, it had become the biggest inspiration to me as a future high school student-athlete. This determination followed me into my freshman year of high school as I became MVP of my freshman basketball team, and got pulled up to varsity in the spring for football. I took part in the freshman 100 sprints but I was not able to race as much as desired due to injury. The following year, I started on JV basketball, was between second and third on the varsity football team depth chart, and ran with the sophomore team 4x1 relay league champions. The only true obstacle I was forced to overcome was my size difference. Going into my freshman year, I was a mere 5' 8'' weighing 145 pounds (very skinny). In two years, through hard work and weight training, I grew to be 5'10" 165 pounds. I believe through hard work and perseverance, I could accomplish my collegiate goals of finding a football team just right for me while getting an education that will set me up for success in my future.
