(S2) - PT #2 - Locker Personalization

[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

I've heard it said that a look inside another man's locker is a glimpse into his soul. The things in that locker are the last things he has with him before he takes the field and the first things he has when he returns whether in victory or defeat. They can tell you about what he desires in life, and also what he fears the most. What he loves, what he hates, what he thinks of other people, and what other people think of him.

So what can my locker tell you about me?

The most important people in my life, I have a picture of each of them. One of my parents, one of my wife and most importantly one of my Grandma, who is my personal hero. She worked so hard to take care of her family on her own. Of course my wife comes for every game, but for my parents and especially for Grandma it's tough. But with these photos they are always with me. These serve to remind me who I play for and who helped me to get to where I am today.

I have a few jerseys hanging up in my locker. One from when I was in college, doesn't really fit anymore, one from high school, hasn't fit since one month after high school, and an old jersey of my dad's from when he played in the CFL. Sure I don't wear any of these but they remind me of all the games I've played, from just playing catch with my old man to these first few preseason games in the NSFL. These memories help prepare me mentally for each and every game.

I've got my "comfort food" collection. My wife gets mad at me for eating too much junk food, well she can't do anything about it in the locker room. Marshawn Lynch has his Skittles, I've got my peanut M&M's. Nothing tastes quite as good after a win or serves as a better pick me up after a loss. I've had a bag after every game since Senior year of high school.

The final thing I've got is usually tucked back deep in my locker. It's a Bible, the same one I've had since I was 7. Don't use this specific one much anymore, the pages are faded and the spine is falling apart. But I have a passage bookmarked that I have always read before every game I have ever played. It's Hebrews 12:11-12, "“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” It's a reminder to me in life and on the field that all good things take hard work and sacrifice. When I'm in a game and I feel weak and exhausted, I can lean on those words and know that giving up is never an option.

Without these things I could still go out and play, but it wouldn't be me on the field, just an empty shell. These things make up a part of me, and when I come to my locker before a game I gather up this motivation, these thoughts, these memories and I bring them with me to the field. And when the game is over I safely return them back to their resting place until I call upon them again for my next battle.