The 2015 football season is coming to a close. They play their last regular season game this Friday against Nevada Union. While varsity has clinched a spot in playoffs, the JV and freshman teams will be playing for the last time this season on Friday. Richard Purvis, a sophomore football player on the JV team, shared some thoughts about his sport and the close of the season.

Richard Purvis

1. What motivated me to start playing football was that I watched it a lot on television, and that many family members motivated me to play it as well. I wanted to change my life and to do something better, so I started playing football in 7th grade. This will help me follow my family’s footsteps to being successful. I also wanted to try something new that I believe that can help me later in life. Football has helped me to change my life.
2. A unique tradition that I do that helps me before any game is to listen to the song “Here Comes The Boom” by Nelly.  I also pump up and start dancing around with my friends in the locker room. Drinking a huge can of Red Bull also psyches me up to help me during the game. This doesn’t just help me, but also makes my teammates’ blood flow become faster and more energetic. We then just all start shouting and become even more anxious to win the game.
3. I warm up by doing various leg stretches, sprints and working out daily for one hour. Whenever I go to the gym with a friend or family member, I can work out for over three hours. Practicing “getting low” makes me try even harder to strengthen my muscles and agility. I need to be prepared for the later games, so to be in a great condition will help me. Working out also feels good and refreshing for my body.
4. Some positions that I play are running back, slot receiver, kicker, safety, linebacker and kicker turner. I need to train excessively to succeed in each of these positions to try to become one of the greatest. You have to be aggressive. You want to hit people and to be ready. Doing so will help you become a better football player.
5. Some struggles I went through were that I was picked on by the older players because I didn’t know what I was doing at first. But I tried my best, and I’m no longer picked on. My size was also a major problem because it wasn’t compatible with my strengths and abilities. The way to resolve this was by trying my best in football, keeping my chin up and to keep moving forward. I was finally able to be physically and mentally fit in life.
6. I stay healthy by eating nutritious and wholesome meals such as a salami sandwich, a cliff bar and some grapes. This nourishing meal can help me stay hydrated and ready for any game all the time. With lots of energy, I am now prepared to be strong and powerful for the game I will succeed in. It is crucial because having an empty stomach will slow me down and not allow me to perform as well. I enjoy this meal because it always regenerates me to do over and above my own standards and to succeed in doing so.
7. What teamwork means to me is that I believe that if you have no teamwork in a sport, there is no possible way of succeeding. My teammates also help me improve in school and life by staying by my side and never giving up on me. Because of them, I decide to make better decisions that can later help me in the future. They make me want to try harder, and to help them grow better as a team. I am eternally grateful for them because we have all succeeded together and have stayed strong in every way.
8. I believe that being in a sport can help you succeed more in life and to strategically process every information given to you. Being in a sport can also help you get mentally and physically stronger. Innovating your participation with your school and community can help you later process what you want to be when you grow up and to keep a steady pace for your future. Working out your muscles and your mind at the same time will increase your ability to do better. I want to be professional in this sport, and doing so, I have to believe in myself and know that what I am doing will assist me better when I am older.
9. What I want to do for the rest of my life is to continue this awesome sport! I love the competition. Not only being a professional football player, but I also want to be a proud citizen in society. I want to help other people believe in themselves and to let them know that they can do anything. You never can’t do something. You need to want it.