As a football player, when someone asks me, “How is football going?” The answer is far more layered than most people would expect. To many, football might just look like a game that’s played once a week on a field, but for those of us deeply involved, it is a way of life. It consumes a significant portion of our time, energy, and focus. In fact, for a football player, it feels like football is a full-time job,and I’m not exaggerating when I say that. Most of my time is dedicated to football, and there is a lot more than just the games and practices. The preparation, both physically and mentally, takes a huge amount of time and effort.

Being a football player means dedicating countless hours each week to perfecting your craft. From morning lifts, afternoon practices, to team meetings and film sessions, the schedule can feel never-ending. Every minute of practice is designed to push us to become better, stronger, and more resilient. There’s little time to rest because every moment is either spent working on improving physically through training or mentally through watching tape, analyzing opponents, and fine-tuning strategies. This isn’t a sport where you can afford to slack off. A wrong route can cost the team points or even a game, and that level of focus demands continuous effort.

As if the football schedule wasn’t demanding enough, there’s also college. Football may take up the majority of my time, but I am still a student. There are assignments to complete, exams to study for, and projects to tackle. Balancing these two worlds is a constant challenge. Sometimes it feels like I’m working toward two separate degrees: one in my academic major and another in football. Both require immense focus, effort, and time, but with football, the stakes often feel higher becau

se of the physical and competitive nature of the game. When people think of “studying,” they often think of textbooks and libraries, but football players study just as much, if not more, for their sport. We analyze film, memorize our playbook, and review game plans in the same way a student would study for a midterm exam. Understanding different formations, recognizing opponent’s schemes, and knowing the intricacies of each

opponent’s strengths and weaknesses are all critical to success on the field. In this sense, football becomes like a second major, demanding as much, if not more, mental energy than our actual academic courses

As if balancing academics and football wasn’t hard enough, there’s the added pressure of performance. It’s not just about being good in the classroom or knowing the playbook inside and out. On the field, the expectations are high, both from myself and from others. I set a standard for myself, goals and expectations that I constantly strive to meet. At the same time, there’s the pressure to perform up to the program’s standards, the coaches’ standards, and, of course, the team’s standards. Especially during training camp prior to the season, you’re doing everything you can to play as goo

d as possible to state your case to the coaches as to why you should be put on the field. 

It’s a weight that never really leaves you. You’re constantly thinking about how to perform better, how to improve, and how to ensure you’re doing everything in your power to contribute to the team’s success. When you’re not performing up to these standards, it’s easy to get in your own head. There are times when the pressure feels overwhelming because you know that any slip-up can cost you your chance to get on the field, or even your team a game, and in foot-

ball, every game counts. There’s a fine balance between pushing yourself to meet these expectations and not letting the pressure consume you entirely.

One of the most challenging aspects of being a football player is navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the sport. There are some days when you feel like you’re on top of the world, maybe after a big win or a great personal performance. On those days, everything feels worth it. All the hard work, the long hours, the pain, it all feels justified when you taste success. But on other days, it’s the exact opposite. There are times when things don’t go as planned, when you don’t play as well as you expected to or the team suffers a tough loss, and the weight of disappointment can be crushing. It’s difficult not to let your mood be tied to your performance on the field. Managing those highs and lows is one of the most difficult mental aspects of football. Staying level-headed, not getting too high on the wins or too low on the losses, is a skill that takes time to develop, which I am still working to develop myself.

One thing that many athletes, myself included, struggle with is finding a balance between football and other parts of life. It’s easy to let football take over, to the point where your entire identity is wrapped up in being a football player. This can be dangerous because once your playing days are over, it leaves a void. Many athletes struggle with this transition, feeling lost or unsure of who they are without their sport. That’s why it’s important to find other things that bring you joy, to discover passions outside of football. Something that I have always been able to turn to is the game of golf, it has been a great outlet for me to get away from the game when need be. Whether it’s a hobby, a passion for your academic field, or something else entirely, it’s crucial to build a well-rounded life. This way, when the day comes that you hang up your cleats, you still have a strong sense of self that goes beyond the game.

Football is a physical game, and there’s no getting around the fact that it takes a serious toll on your body. From the hits you take during games to the wear and tear of daily practices, you’re constantly pushing your body to its limits. There are days when my body feels like it’s 80 years old, aching joints, sore muscles, and lingering injuries are all part of the game. You’re not always going to feel 100%, but you still have to go out there and perform to your best.

Football is a game of sacrifice. You’re sacrificing your time, your energy, and your body for the love of the game. But despite all the challenges, the long hours, the pressure, the emotional ups and downs, and the physical toll, there’s nothing quite like it. The camaraderie, the competition, and the thrill of the game make it all worth it. So when someone asks, “How is football going?” The answer is complicated, but my passion for the game remains unwavering.