"from Scrub to Starter" by Jordan

"from Scrub to Starter" by Jordan - February 2017 Scholarship Essay

"from Scrub to Starter"

To preface, I love football. You'll find that is evident in this essay. I started playing football at a very young age, 5 to be exact. I was blessed to be coached by my father until I reached high school ball. My dad saw leadership and confidence in me at a young age. He placed me at the Quarterback position during 5/6 flag football. Needless to say, I never moved, never changed positions. I broke my collar bone after the first game of my 6th grade year. I was devastated. I had to sit and watch my best friend step into "my" position. I had to remain supportive and positive. My parents have always instilled work ethic, character, and integrity into my sister and I. I worked through this, made it through 6th grade year, and regained my starting position for the remaining middle school years.
I now am a rising Freshman. I have worked hard, blood, sweat, tears, the whole thing. I just know that I will earn this starting spot on my Varsity football team. There are other quarterbacks on the team, older boys, stronger boys than myself. This doesn't matter to me. I'm the best, I've worked the hardest, I want it the most. Isn't that enough? No. no it was not enough.
I "failed" to win this starting role. I had to watch the senior QB play MY position! How dare these coaches! Well I live through this, surprisingly enough. It is now Sophomore year. My year! This is it! Well, I work hard, I get bigger and stronger. Everyone in the community knows it's mine for the taking. No. they give it to the current Senior. I'm better and everyone knows it. So I, with my integrity and strong character, stand on the sidelines, once again.
Game 5 into the season, Senior QB breaks his ankle mid game. I'm up! I'm nervous, yet ready! I go in. We lose the game, but I've done well. I go on to start the rest of the season. I am named the starter my Junior and Senior years as well. Go on to win Rookie of the year, Most Valuable Offensive Player, in addition to All area first team Captain. I signed to play college football, Quarterback, for Reinhardt University.
I'm aware that these are not devastating failures, but working hard and being passed over or "failing" as some would say, made me stronger of mind and body. Learning to persevere when I wanted to quit. I'm grateful and thankful for these lessons. I deal with adversity in a much different way. I appreciate the process.
I'm ready to take these lessons I've learned to the next level at Reinhardt!