Page 47 - Life's Outtakes 8

feelings because he laughed. “Hey, don’t be so
surprised. You’re one of the best.”

I scanned for one other name, and sure enough,
Wade was there for all-conference offensive tackle.

I thought back to the previous year. I had been a
junior. My dad had previously only allowed us to only
compete in one sport because of the amount of work to
be done on our farm. But when I kept up my chores
and wrestling, too, he gave me permission to do more if
I also kept good grades.

I could remember my first football practice. I had
never even seen a game on television, so I made a ton
of mistakes, and my teammates teased me a lot. That
just steeled my resolve and made me work that much
harder. I made the varsity cut, and everyone was
surprised, but no one more than me. Coach just
laughed when I asked him about it. “Howard, you’ve
got more heart and determination than anyone I know.”

Then came a day I will never forget. Coach
pulled forty of us juniors who were on varsity into a
special meeting. “Men,” he said, “you have earned
your varsity letter, but with the large, experienced
senior squad we have, you will likely never get to play.

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