Having just been picked up on waiver in the DSFL, I (Ernest Lover) don’t yet have much of a league career to speak of. So as I prepare for my debut game in the league, I will reflect here on what has helped me get to where I am today: the people in my life.
While, physical training, technique, and strategizing have been important to my improvement as a player throughout my college career, their importance pales in comparison to the impact of the support of my family throughout my high school and college football career. I have been truly blessed with a courageous mother who imparted on me the importance of hard work and the pleasure of a job well done. She always encouraged me to commit fully to what I undertake and to accept that progress often comes incrementally. These lessons were key to my continuing improvement throughout my four years at Longwood.
In my first college season, I didn't perform as well as I had expected; never starting a single game and ending the year with only 7 tackles. Despite this disappointing season, my mom’s voice inside my head told me to keep working hard and that my efforts would eventually accumulate into meaningful impact on the field. My sophomore season was not what you would call a “breakout” season, but I started to see the results of my efforts. In the following years, I continued on this forward momentum, making steady progress towards the DE that I am today. I am also blessed with a wife who defies stereotypes everyday as a career woman in STEM. My wife inspires me to improve my own knowledge, so I continue to invest in my own mind as well as my body. This is reflected in my lack of penalties throughout my college career—a stat very few track, but I know is important for team success. I hope to continue my smart play on the DSFL field.
(Word count: 329)
While, physical training, technique, and strategizing have been important to my improvement as a player throughout my college career, their importance pales in comparison to the impact of the support of my family throughout my high school and college football career. I have been truly blessed with a courageous mother who imparted on me the importance of hard work and the pleasure of a job well done. She always encouraged me to commit fully to what I undertake and to accept that progress often comes incrementally. These lessons were key to my continuing improvement throughout my four years at Longwood.
In my first college season, I didn't perform as well as I had expected; never starting a single game and ending the year with only 7 tackles. Despite this disappointing season, my mom’s voice inside my head told me to keep working hard and that my efforts would eventually accumulate into meaningful impact on the field. My sophomore season was not what you would call a “breakout” season, but I started to see the results of my efforts. In the following years, I continued on this forward momentum, making steady progress towards the DE that I am today. I am also blessed with a wife who defies stereotypes everyday as a career woman in STEM. My wife inspires me to improve my own knowledge, so I continue to invest in my own mind as well as my body. This is reflected in my lack of penalties throughout my college career—a stat very few track, but I know is important for team success. I hope to continue my smart play on the DSFL field.
(Word count: 329)
