As part of my first season in the league I have been given the opportunity to write my thoughts about the process of being a rookie in the NSFL.
Draft Day
Playing in this league is a huge honour; but waiting to hear your name called was one of the most agonizing experiences you can imagine. You start to question every move you made before draft day, as you see teams you were sure would pick you go in other directions. But then you get that phone call, and everything changes, the deputy Commissioner reads your name aloud and you are a professional footballer. My conversation with coach was a short one; he asked if I was committed to becoming the best player I could be, the answer seems simple, “yes coach,” however giving yourself over to the game like that is hard to ask of anyone, especially just out of college. But as you begin to picture the sacrifices you’ll need to make to compete at this level, you see players you look up to; you see yourself in the players around the league, you're no longer just a fan. You are a prospect, a peer, their competition; I have come into this league to develop my skills. I intend on doing that, not only through learning from my own teammates, but also by the example of other linebackers in the league. I am considering getting in touch with a few of my fellow linebackers and finding out what they think about the position, and what they bring to their teams.
Rookie Minicamp
Minicamp was great for me. It really gave me the opportunity to get to know the coaching staff, as well as my fellow rookies. I'm really excited to be a part of the Liberty set up; I think we have a bright future with Clifford Rove as our QB1. He has a great football IQ and just watching Rove out here makes me excited for the season and developing alongside him. Eli Kamaka is another great locker room guy. I feel like coming into the league and forming a bond with a player like Eli is just going to help our development, he's a competitor like me, and I think we're going to bring out the best in each other. It would have been nice to see our other defensive pick up Gavin Graham in attendance, but I've heard some things about his time in college, so I'm not sure if he'll be around the facility much.
Minicamp gives you a perspective on what life in the pro’s is really going to be like. I played for a big college team in Tennessee but the amount of media waiting for us outside the training facility was something else. I know that scrutiny walks hand-in-hand in my profession, but I know it’s going to take some adjustments.
I also need to commend the NSFL for their Rookie Conference, attending really gives you an insight into what you’ll run into in the league, there are a lot of pitfalls which can side track a career, and it’s nice to see the league putting a helping hand out there for players coming into the league.
Training Camp
Talk about a step up. When the established pros come in, things really start to get serious. Trying to keep your head on a swivel as TEs blow past you, it's not an easy job. AC, Luke, and PJ make it look easy though, and despite them reassuring me that I'll get used to the speed of the game, it's going to take some adjusting. By the end of camp I was beginning to adjust to the pace of the professional game, obviously my first real test will begin in preseason, and I'm looking forward to facing the Wraiths. I have never been to Yellowknife, and I’m looking forward to seeing another part of the world. I still am unsure what kind of role I will be playing, but I know I need to put my best foot forward and get stuck in. I definitely need to make my intentions clear in the pre-season; I know there are a lot of other players who would like to be in my position.
So it’s on to Yellowknife; hopefully I’ll be able to find some time before the game to catch some fresh air and enjoy the scenery. Until next time this is #53 signing off.
(742 words)
GRADED
Draft Day
Playing in this league is a huge honour; but waiting to hear your name called was one of the most agonizing experiences you can imagine. You start to question every move you made before draft day, as you see teams you were sure would pick you go in other directions. But then you get that phone call, and everything changes, the deputy Commissioner reads your name aloud and you are a professional footballer. My conversation with coach was a short one; he asked if I was committed to becoming the best player I could be, the answer seems simple, “yes coach,” however giving yourself over to the game like that is hard to ask of anyone, especially just out of college. But as you begin to picture the sacrifices you’ll need to make to compete at this level, you see players you look up to; you see yourself in the players around the league, you're no longer just a fan. You are a prospect, a peer, their competition; I have come into this league to develop my skills. I intend on doing that, not only through learning from my own teammates, but also by the example of other linebackers in the league. I am considering getting in touch with a few of my fellow linebackers and finding out what they think about the position, and what they bring to their teams.
Rookie Minicamp
Minicamp was great for me. It really gave me the opportunity to get to know the coaching staff, as well as my fellow rookies. I'm really excited to be a part of the Liberty set up; I think we have a bright future with Clifford Rove as our QB1. He has a great football IQ and just watching Rove out here makes me excited for the season and developing alongside him. Eli Kamaka is another great locker room guy. I feel like coming into the league and forming a bond with a player like Eli is just going to help our development, he's a competitor like me, and I think we're going to bring out the best in each other. It would have been nice to see our other defensive pick up Gavin Graham in attendance, but I've heard some things about his time in college, so I'm not sure if he'll be around the facility much.
Minicamp gives you a perspective on what life in the pro’s is really going to be like. I played for a big college team in Tennessee but the amount of media waiting for us outside the training facility was something else. I know that scrutiny walks hand-in-hand in my profession, but I know it’s going to take some adjustments.
I also need to commend the NSFL for their Rookie Conference, attending really gives you an insight into what you’ll run into in the league, there are a lot of pitfalls which can side track a career, and it’s nice to see the league putting a helping hand out there for players coming into the league.
Training Camp
Talk about a step up. When the established pros come in, things really start to get serious. Trying to keep your head on a swivel as TEs blow past you, it's not an easy job. AC, Luke, and PJ make it look easy though, and despite them reassuring me that I'll get used to the speed of the game, it's going to take some adjusting. By the end of camp I was beginning to adjust to the pace of the professional game, obviously my first real test will begin in preseason, and I'm looking forward to facing the Wraiths. I have never been to Yellowknife, and I’m looking forward to seeing another part of the world. I still am unsure what kind of role I will be playing, but I know I need to put my best foot forward and get stuck in. I definitely need to make my intentions clear in the pre-season; I know there are a lot of other players who would like to be in my position.
So it’s on to Yellowknife; hopefully I’ll be able to find some time before the game to catch some fresh air and enjoy the scenery. Until next time this is #53 signing off.
(742 words)
GRADED
![[Image: HITSVoP.png]](https://i.imgur.com/HITSVoP.png)
Jurisprudence Jones, OL ![[Image: cYhSwFY.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cYhSwFY.png)
![[Image: GvZ6vcg.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/GvZ6vcg.gif)
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![[Image: BVsashy.png]](https://i.imgur.com/BVsashy.png)
