What are Words

What are words? Words are many things. They are powerful in a positive way and can move mountains but often times they are powerful in a way that can destroy. Then, there are times when words are not conveyed correctly, or they are simply misunderstood. They are genuine, or they are superficial. Sometimes, words are even silent when they come in the form of facial expressions. Words are complex and almost impossible for one to explain their meaning. Simply put, words impact lives.
For me, words have been extremely important in my life, especially in football. On the surface, without words, I would not know exactly what to do on the field or know when I make a play that warrants a high-five or even when I make one that hurts my team. The coaches use words to let us know exactly how they feel , what we should be doing, and what we should learn. In football, words are sometimes taken for granted, and are sometimes not articulated the way they should be. For instance, when I tell my quarterback, “Hey, I can beat this guy; I got it; I can score the winning touchdown,” there’s two different ways that those words can be expressed, ecstatically where the quarterback has confidence in me or nonchalantly where the quarterback has to question the sincerity of my words and whether or not he can depend on me. Words in a football game drive the adrenaline and the atmosphere. Whether those words come in the form of a grin from a coach, a pat on the back, a shake of the head, a fist pump, yelling or cheering, they are sometimes the best words ever because not only can the chants of the home team be heard, but players and fans also hear the boos of the visiting team. For football players, these words have an everlasting effect on the way we as players behave, the way we make decisions, and ultimately, they shape our perspective. Those words that train us as players eventually mold us into men.
Outside of football, other words have impacted my life, like when my parents tell me that they love me, and I️ reciprocate it with an “I️ love you, too.” Words are how people express themselves every day, and I️ can only hope that in this moment, I️ express myself as clearly as I️ possibly can. As I am entering my final stage of my senior year of high school, and I prepare to move on to college at Clarke University where I will also play football, I reflect on all of the words that have made me into the son, brother, friend, player, and man that I am. Specific words that stand out to me are words given to me by my father. Throughout the years, he has always encouraged me to shoot for that 1% of the work that nobody else wants to do and then let the other 99% fall where it may. He told me that if I️ shoot for that 1%, I️ will succeed, and I️ will be among the rare elite. That will forever stick out in my mind along with words that he wrote to me early in my high school years. He wrote,
“When you look on the football field you don't see me, you look over me, little do you know that the fire inside is burning. It’s fueling my desire and my want to. I hit harder, I run faster, I train harder and longer than your starter, and for what? Just to get put in the game, but you will never know this, why? Because I’m the second string, working my way up. So, keep fueling me, and I will keep pushing and waiting my turn standing on the side line, watching and waiting for you to know my name! My time is coming. Keep pushing son.”
Those words mean everything to me,and that’s what I do every day as I try to outwork my opponents. I will continually get better; I will be a leader, and I will make him proud. So, what are words? They are inspiration, letters that seem so simple yet hold the power to change a mindset, a heart, a perspective,and ultimately inspire a young man to chase his dreams.