Ferrum College Chrysalis Literary Arts Magazine: Fall 2021

of a beautiful day at the Panthers Den! As we entered a new oasis at the Hank Norton Center, every moment Coach Williams did his job and transformed a scrawny young boy to an eager player that was making more strides for it not to end moved the moment. I didn’t have the gumption to give up, and that helped me straighten up and execute in the interview. Each player that had more talent crossed my mind. Each play that rocked me into the love of the game needed to pour into the conversations. Till this day I can honestly say I had never seen my Dad smile as big as he did that day!

You can never really be prepared for the adrenaline that pops off your body when you finally feel accomplished. I felt accomplished after that meeting. I felt like a man being respected. I felt like everyone that crossed my path had built an insecure boy into a student eager to be a sponge, and absorb everything I could take in, and utilize it later. I’ll forever be indebted to each soul that poured into me and the program that built us. My thanks to Coach James for being so humble, and kind, and understanding that passion for people can collide in every moment of football if you give a chance!

“Gick, I missed you sooo much!” The hug Nate gave me in the stadium felt like home had reached out and grabbed me. It had been 4 weeks since I had seen my inspiration. I honestly can’t remember a time where it was ever more than a couple hours prior to me leaving for college. You see, my brother is the oldest of my parents’ children, and is a remarkably unique individual. He was born special, and absolutely loves football.

Often I had heard my parents say, “Man, if Nate could suit up, those opponents would pay!” He is super tough, and sometimes doesn’t know his own strength. We were raised in football even without 12