At age six, my first year of football, I was gifted with five coaches who remained in community ball with me until the end. For nine years, their expectations were high, and tolerance for irresponsibility was low. I was fortunate to learn discipline and consistency from men who will forever be mentors. Every year my head coach would say I was the most athletically inclined kid on the team, but I had yet to reach my abilities. Until one year, everything I had learned seemed to come together. I played beyond what I ever knew I could. For the first time, my name was chanted in the stands. I look back and can appreciate the process it takes to be successful. I had to fail and get back up so many times. I've learned to believe in myself. I know I have leadership qualities as a player who will stand by my teammates and do what it takes to win.