I woke up on Monday morning after an extremely brief sleep. Rubbed my eyes and murmured "this is unfair" as I made my way to boot camp, oops I mean practice* My mind started to wonder of the devilish things our coach had in store for us.
5:30 am and I was ready to run. Up before many of my english friends, even though they are 5 hours ahead. Man what I would have gave to be 5 hours into the future at that point.
6am and coach tells us we will be running 120's until he says stop.......he didn't say stop. I decided to give it my all regardless of the fact that I found out I cannot play this year. I have to as its my only chance to stay fit and impress.
We ran a countless amount and then as we were resting and furiously squeezing the water bottles to make sure we extract every last drop, Coach simply said "Blackwood" and signaled for me to go over.
The first thing I thought was I may be in trouble for my rant in my last post. My heart started to beat robotically as I jogged over. The rest of my teammates stood lined up, staring, wondering. Before he says a word he musters up the saliva and tobacco from his mouth, turns to his right and spits. He then stares at me. "Why are you working so hard" he says to me quietly with one eyebrow raised. After a brief moment of confusion and realization that I wasn't in trouble I intellectually replied "what?"
"Why are you working so hard" he repeated. I took a moment then answered "because its the only chance I get, seeing as I can't play this year", he spat again. "But why are you working so hard" he continued to quiz. In my head I asked "are you feeling okay? I've just answered" but I held back and returned with "its just what I do, its all I want to do"
Believe it or not he asked the question again. I was beginning to get frustrated, not with him, just with the fact that I didn't know what to say! So out of irritation, I came out with "Because I'm A Footballer!" and instantly regretted those choice of words.
I looked down. He looked up. I slowly raised my head and prepared myself for the inevitable question, but he simply stated "that's all I wanted to hear." And excused me.
I jogged back. Finished the runs. And then at the end, coach told the players the story, in a very dramatic manner. "I asked Blackwood, why do you work so hard? You found out you can't play one second this year, why do you still come out here everyday and continue to work hard? And do you know what he said? *Dramatic pause* Tyler tell them what you said" "Because I'm a footballer" I said under my breath. He cups his ear as if to insinuate he didn't hear me. "Because I'm a footballer" I repeated" he re-cups his ear. "BECAUSE IM A FOOTBALLER" I projected. He nods. Then repeats "Because he's a footballer, that's all I needed to hear. See you guys later"
After a few pats on the back and several different interpretations of "good job" from my peers, I returned to the locker room to the inevitable chants of "Oooh I'm A Footballer!!" "Football Friend" "Look At Me I'm A Footballer" All in a unusual high voice.
5:30 am and I was ready to run. Up before many of my english friends, even though they are 5 hours ahead. Man what I would have gave to be 5 hours into the future at that point.
6am and coach tells us we will be running 120's until he says stop.......he didn't say stop. I decided to give it my all regardless of the fact that I found out I cannot play this year. I have to as its my only chance to stay fit and impress.
We ran a countless amount and then as we were resting and furiously squeezing the water bottles to make sure we extract every last drop, Coach simply said "Blackwood" and signaled for me to go over.
The first thing I thought was I may be in trouble for my rant in my last post. My heart started to beat robotically as I jogged over. The rest of my teammates stood lined up, staring, wondering. Before he says a word he musters up the saliva and tobacco from his mouth, turns to his right and spits. He then stares at me. "Why are you working so hard" he says to me quietly with one eyebrow raised. After a brief moment of confusion and realization that I wasn't in trouble I intellectually replied "what?"
"Why are you working so hard" he repeated. I took a moment then answered "because its the only chance I get, seeing as I can't play this year", he spat again. "But why are you working so hard" he continued to quiz. In my head I asked "are you feeling okay? I've just answered" but I held back and returned with "its just what I do, its all I want to do"
Believe it or not he asked the question again. I was beginning to get frustrated, not with him, just with the fact that I didn't know what to say! So out of irritation, I came out with "Because I'm A Footballer!" and instantly regretted those choice of words.
I looked down. He looked up. I slowly raised my head and prepared myself for the inevitable question, but he simply stated "that's all I wanted to hear." And excused me.
I jogged back. Finished the runs. And then at the end, coach told the players the story, in a very dramatic manner. "I asked Blackwood, why do you work so hard? You found out you can't play one second this year, why do you still come out here everyday and continue to work hard? And do you know what he said? *Dramatic pause* Tyler tell them what you said" "Because I'm a footballer" I said under my breath. He cups his ear as if to insinuate he didn't hear me. "Because I'm a footballer" I repeated" he re-cups his ear. "BECAUSE IM A FOOTBALLER" I projected. He nods. Then repeats "Because he's a footballer, that's all I needed to hear. See you guys later"
After a few pats on the back and several different interpretations of "good job" from my peers, I returned to the locker room to the inevitable chants of "Oooh I'm A Footballer!!" "Football Friend" "Look At Me I'm A Footballer" All in a unusual high voice.
So the next stage is to get some t-shirts made with that famous quote. And also to maintain this hard working frame of mind. I would like to thank everyone who sent me motivational words, and words or reassurance. I'm in a good place now. And I can't think of a better place to be "Un-Cleared" than the University Of Tampa. I will be posting a blog mid-week, focusing more on my classes.
Thanks For Reading,
Ty.
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