A good teammate is so much more than someone with whom you play a sport. As my high school football career ended, I walked back into that locker room defeated, I felt beyond repair. All the hard work that I put in through the season felt like it was for nothing. However, amidst the storm of my despair, a beam of light shone. Many of my fellow teammates came up to me, telling me I had done a good job, and that I did all I could do. These teammates were the iron that sharpened my iron. They showed that being a good teammate means being reliable not only on the field but in the real world as well. If I needed advice for anything, they were there; their exemplary attitudes and desire to put others first are just a few of the qualities that made them good teammates. The most important sports team I have been a part of is, undoubtedly, the Spring Valley Football team. Playing and training with those coaches and that group of men gave me more than just the ability to play football. I met lifelong friends, learned discipline and responsibility, and experienced a brotherhood that goes beyond blood. Through hardships and victories, we learned to rely on each other and developed trustworthy relationships. As you become friends with someone, you build a foundation that will last, but if you do not maintain that foundation, the relationship falls apart. The best example of this is our relationship with God. I have had a relationship with God since before I could remember; my mom made sure I made it to every Sunday service until I could drive. This gave me a strong, powerful foundation for faith, and kept me from straying too far from my beliefs. That foundation has helped make me who I am today. It is that foundation and my faith in God that gets me through difficult times. When my papaw passed away, I was beyond depressed. I spent most days sitting in my room, playing video games, asking why it had to be him. The continual pondering of this question led me to Philippians 4:11-13. These verses tell us to be content with what we have as there is always something worse that could happen and reassures us that we can do all things through the power of Christ. Reading these verses led me to research about the apostle Paul who wrote them. Paul was a minister who was greatly persecuted: through beating, starving, and freezing, he continued to teach God's word. This inspired me to change my perspective on life. I did not want to view things negatively as I had been. Since then, I have chosen to look for the good in all things, to find the beauty in God's creation, and to search out the positive even in the worst circumstances. Changing my perspective has brought me so much closer to God. I now understand that, even in losing my Papaw, I can choose to focus on the blessing of having had such an amazing man in my life, rather than dwelling on my loss. This mindset has helped me to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles on and off the field. Knowing God helps me grow as an athlete and an as an individual. Studying God’s word gives me peace, comfort, and the guidance I need to navigate through all of life’s ups and downs; while being part of a team has taught me to always give my best effort, to play and work hard, and hopefully: “not suck.”

When you think of a good teammate the first person to come to mind is likely the leader of the team; however, what is a leader but someone who needs reliable people to follow him. The good teammate is not the leader, yes they are helpful, but a good teammate is one who you can go to for more than just a sports problem. A good teammate is one who is a family member, can be trusted, and is a good role model, and yes this may be the leader on the team but it doesn’t have to be. The most important team I have ever been on is definitely the Spring Valley football team. We are the team of the tri-state who is usually the underdog yet always manages to come out on top. Just about every year we are counted out but with the support of our community and coaches who rely on us we get the job done. Our team is important because of the people it produces. Our coaches strive to make us more than just a player: to make us a worker. When you come through the program you learn life skills, how to lead on and off the field, and when to be lead and learn from those above you. This is also the most important team I have been on because of how much closer I have gotten with God through the years playing. In my freshman year I met my now best friend whose church I now call my home. I have went to church my whole life and learned about God and what he’s done with the beautiful creation that is Earth. I have prayed on the field before games, but it has not been until three years ago now when I really felt his presence around me lifting me up. My papaw had passed the holiday season before the new year and I was not feeling myself. However, I still walked into the locker room everyday with a good attitude and the will to succeed. It was in this locker room I met my best friend; we had lots in common and clicked immediately. After a while he invited me on one of his church’s youth trips and I gladly agreed to go. It was here I felt the spirit flowing through these wonderful people and my eyes truly lightened to the glory of God. That weekend I stayed the night at his house and went to Sunday church with him. I remember learning more there that day than most my time at my old church and everyone was so inviting. Getting into a relationship with God helped me start to heal the scars that my papaw left and allowed me to focus on my love of the sport that is football. I started praying, truly and meaningful prayers before weights and games and I felt strengthened. With the full armor or God I went into the battle that is the O-line and came out victorious. Many people regarded me for my accomplishments but it was all from him: he gave it to me to use so people could see his power. I do not know if I would still be playing without the support of God in my life, he has always been there even when others were not.