Setback as Motivation - Dear Coach

November 17, 2017

Dear Coach,

I know I wasn't’t your favorite player, and I know you only talked to me in efforts for me to leave you alone about getting on the field, I want to say thank you for that. I want to thank you for not believing in me. I want to thank you for saying what you thought I wanted to hear at practice but doing something different on game day. Although I believed in you in the beginning, you made my trust for you diminish quickly with every lie you told me. I want to thank you for looking past me for just another player who was bigger and taller but not more talented. Because you looked me over, I strived to be bigger, faster, and stronger. Coach, I did that right in front of your eyes, and you still looked right past me. I want to thank you for trying to demolishing my passion for the sport I loved. Your actions, lies and criticism made me want to succeed even more. Thank you again for not believing in me because I now don’t believe that you were the Coach or mentor for me.

Had it not been for you, I would have never transferred to another high school in the County where I was appreciated from day one for my leadership and talent. Had it not been for you, I would have never known what character meant. Had it not been for you, I would never been named as the county’s best wide receiver. Had it not been for you, I would have never been voted Vystar’ s “All Star Athlete” for excelling in academics, athletics and community service. Had it not been for you, I would have never been voted by the 2018 senior superlative as “Best All Around.” Thank you, for rejecting me because if it you had not done that, I would have not had the opportunity to develop amazing relationships with my new coaches.

Thank you for trying your best to break my spirit and devour my love for the sport of football. Had you not done this I would not have used that setback as motivation for my now success. Thank you for excluding me and making me feel inadequate and invisible. Had it not been for your treatment to me, I may not have been afforded the opportunity to play football at a collegiate level. Thank you for helping me to realize where my true athletic potential lies. Had it not been for you, I never would have grown as a stellar athlete and developed my sense of commitment to a team. Most young high school athletes would have quit due to lack of respect and playing time you gave me. Because of your treatment to me, I lead my high school team as a captain and as a member of the leadership council. I am thankful that because of your actions, you allowed me to recognize the kind of coach, leader, mentor, peer, and friend that I never want to be.

Thank you for not believing in me.

Sincerely,

Kiaran Turner

RHS Class of 2018