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My Love for Football
"I decided to stick with it because I can’t let football go that easily."
By Devante Kelly
March 7, 2007
Youth Radio's Devante Kelly explains why he likes to play football...and his reasoning behind picking unpaid football practice over a paid job.
Ever since I little and watched Raiders games with my family, I loved football.
When I turned 13, I started playing for the Martinez Bulldogs. I was a dedicated teammate: when we had to stretch out, I did it without complaining; when the coach said we had to run laps, I always ran; when my coach asked somebody to do something, I would always help.
I did the extra work because I needed exercise, and I wanted to get my stamina up and increase my strength. The coach liked my attitude so much that he let me pick my two favorite positions to play in our games.
Even though I really love to play, dedicating myself to the sport hasn’t always been so easy. This year, I played JV until I transferred to a new high school. When I first changed schools, I was unsure of whether or not I would keep playing: I had a job and didn’t want to give up the extra spending money.
After debating for about three weeks over whether or not I would keep playing, I decided to stick with it because I can’t let football go that easily. I’m not ready to give up on all the practice and hard work I’ve put into the game. Money will always be there, and a job will always be there too. But the opportunity to play in football games will not.
Football is so important to me because it help keep me balanced and away from danger and trouble. In my city, you can’t just play on the streets for fun, because somebody could come through shooting at anytime. Practice and games keep me protected from that kind of violence. They are a safe place that no one’s going to shoot up. Football also may lead to higher education opportunities, or even take me to playing in the NFL. My dream is to get a scholarship to Miami University or Michigan State.
With all these opportunities the game may bring me, when I think back on my decision to keep playing - as hard as it may be to stick with it - I know I made the right choice.
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