Growing up, my life was all about preparation. I was that kid who lived and breathed football. Every sprint, every tackle, every game was a step closer to my dream: playing in the NFL. Those were my years of peak performance, where every drop of sweat felt like it was watering the seeds of my future.
Then came the anticipation, the big day—draft day. Man, my heart was pounding out of my chest, surrounded by family, friends, and what felt like a lifetime of hope. Only, my name never got called. Not once. That moment? It was like watching everything I’d worked for crumble right in front of me, in front of everyone who believed in me. That gut punch didn't just knock the wind out of me; it knocked the life out of me.