Guts vs Glory by Jason B. Osoff

Author:Jason B. Osoff [Osoff, Jason B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B010N12TE0
Published: 2015-07-10T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 53

As summer practice ended, the intensity increased in season practice. We went back to those practices with pads and vengeance; 55 players had to fight their way to fill 22 roster spots. In our offensive line group, eight players would be fighting for five available positions. Even though three of us were returning from the previous season, we still had to earn our place. It was time to use my weight room time, my treadmill time, and my study time on the practice field to my advantage.

As a group, we pretty much had the same athletic ability. None of us were overly faster, or stronger than anyone else. Once again, I would not be able to stand out athletically. My biggest weapon, for a second season, would have to be my ability to memorize plays. Only three of us were able to run most of the plays flawlessly.

As the two weeks of pre-season practice went on, my uncertainty began to increase. I could feel myself improving, but I wasn’t sure if the coaches noticed. I knew that I couldn’t spend another year as a backup lineman because I would then end up with very little playing time over two seasons and would not be able to impress the University of Southern Michigan. In an effort to calm my nerves, I gave Mike a call.

He was waiting to hear the official word on his starting status as well. Even though he had an impressive run the previous season, and the running back that split the work load with him had graduated, he still wasn’t sure if he had done enough to impress the coaches. After hearing his news, I got even more depressed. I was hoping for a pep talk to cheer me up, but instead, he was going through the same emotions I was going through. I encouraged him to look at his situation from a coach’s point of view.

Last year, he came to the team as a freshman. Right away, he earned his place as a backup running back. As a backup, he earned himself more playing time and scored the most touchdowns on the team. A season later, he was coming back with a year of experience, and without in-house competition. The coaches would be foolish to start someone else.

As I heard the words coming out of my mouth, I realized that they also applied to my situation. Somehow, counseling him calmed me down as well. I was right, though; the coaches would be foolish if they started someone over me. I fought hard for a season, and was fighting even harder for another. I was ready to give it my all for the next few months.

The next conversation we had a few days later was much brighter. As expected, they made Mike a starter. He would be the only starter in his position for the team and would not have to split carries with anyone else. I, too, was named a starter. After a season of

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