With teams picked, I sat as my leg bounced up and down in excitement, waiting to hear my name called.  “My name rumbled out of Coach Nickel’s deep voice.  I sprung to my feet and made my way to the huddle of players already selected.  Some players I knew from school, and others I did not meet before.  Either way, I felt great about my upcoming 7th grade season of football.  

Opening kickoff takes place three weeks from team selection day.  Therefore, we needed to install and prepare our in-game strategies in three short weeks.  Coaches tend to run drills and install plays on day one.  Coach Nickel, however, runs things a tad different.  “We will be the most conditioned team in the state!  Come fourth quarter, we will DOMINATE!  Now, everyone on the line,” he screamed at the top of his lungs!  His voice echoed four times across the field.  My teammates lined up waiting for the whistle.  Up-downs, gassers, sprints, laps around the field, wheelbarrow carry!  When we felt like quitting, Coach Nickel yelled to push ourselves because it will make us better in the long run.  A week of utter torcher drug on.  Our pads soaked with blood and sweat.  Clothes stained green from falling so many times.  

By week two, practice looked different.  Teammates quit, others injured, and some looked like they lost ten pounds.  As for the ones who pushed through the pain, they became better athletes, mentally tough, and ready to compete.  Through the hard work in week one, Coach Nickel rewarded us with drills and play installs in weeks two and three.  My teammates conquered play after play with ease.  I saw the benefits week one supplied us with.  

Coach Nickel taught our team a valuable lesson: work ethic and persevering through tough times shapes you into the person you grow up to become.  I think back to my 7th grade  football season and thank Coach Nickel for the times I had and the ability to persevere with mental toughness through the difficult times.  Whether in school, sports, or with family, I show my true colors and work ethic to make the situation better.  I will die before I quit on someone or something.  We ended 7th grade with one loss--still the best football record of my life.  Five out of six of those games we came back to win in the fourth quarter after being down.  My teammates had mental toughness and perseverance when other teams did not.  This, I am forever thankful for.