“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” — 1 Corinthians 9:25
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It’s nearly impossible to make it to the NFL. The numbers say there are more than 1 million high school football players all around the country, and only about 200 of them will eventually go pro. That’s a 0.02% chance! College players only have about a 1.5% chance to make it to the pros. In addition to that, even if they are lucky enough to make it to the NFL, the odds of actually winning a Super Bowl are only about 10%.
Imagine you are a football athlete…
The numbers are stacked against you. In order to raise the Lombardi Trophy over your head, with confetti falling from the sky, you must first make sacrifices. The best things in life don’t come easy, especially not this. You know that to make your dreams come true, it will take an incredible amount of discipline and hard work. While your friends are out partying, you’re practicing. When your teammates head home after practice, you stay late to get in some extra work. At 4 a.m. while everyone else is sleeping, you are up working on your craft, staying one step ahead of the competition.
But all the hard work pays off and you hear news you got selected in the NFL Draft! You hear your name called, shake hands with the commissioner, and you’re off to your new team in a new city. Now the real work begins. You are going against the best players in the world every day. If you want to stay in this league, you must continue to do the things that got you here, and then some! So you put your head down, and keep on working. Nothing’s going to stop you.
You made it! It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and the big game is set to kick off. You take a look around the stadium at all the fans, celebrities, athletes, entertainers, and CEOs all here to see you play. Not to mention the millions around the world watching on TV. You put your helmet on and run onto the field. It’s go time!
The countdown has begun. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … it’s over! The whole team races onto the field to celebrate. The confetti is falling from the sky, and the commissioner is passing around that beautiful trophy! All your hard work paid off. All the sacrifices you made were for this very moment. You are that one-in-a-million football player, and now you feel … empty.
Many athletes have felt this way after achieving their ultimate goal. After the celebration ends, in some unfortunate cases, depression can set in. It’s important to remember that, through all your hard work and sacrifices, you’re more than just an athlete. There’s more to life than the big game, the big race, or the championship bout. We are all children of God, and we are on this earth to serve Him.
Keep working hard. Keep striving toward your goals each and every day. Just remember that the reason God put you on this earth is bigger than the game.
— Juan F. Chestang
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