I had always loved American Football and university was my first chance at playing it properly. I still remember messaging the head coach to tell him about the "super cool" unkitted games I had been organising with Steve at home prior to Uni. I had no idea I sounded like a melvin, but the passion was there. I still remember turning up to the trial day hungover and wanting to put a marker down to try and impress people. My 11 stone frame (as shown in that beautiful rookie roster photo above) was a bit underwhelming for the position I wanted to play at linebacker, but my attitude was good and I was determined to smash people and prove my worth. I was lucky enough to be joined on this adventure with my best mate Steve, who through what is now a very fortunate turn of events, ended up going to Aber as well. He met his wife there and has no regrets either about how he got there.
I've had a bit of a rough year but when I noticed a Facebook post I had written ten years ago about signing up & rookie day it made me do a lot of reflecting. That one decision to join the team has had an amazing and long lasting impact on my life. As you know I now coach at The University of Exeter and we recently completed "Football 101" which is our induction to life as a Demon and clearly shows the rules of our program. In that talk, another coach stated that "Some of the people in this room will be your friends for life.". It couldn't have been more true a statement. It resonated with me and perfectly summed up my 10 years since joining Tarannau.
I ended up becoming best man for that head coach I messaged like a Melvin, having lived for two years with him and Steve, where we built a friendship that will last forever. I was face timing him and his two kids the other day and remembered how much love I have for that man. I have been a groomsman at two other weddings and am currently booked to go to the Caribbean for a third Aber wedding. I now live within walking distance of some of my closest friends from Uni and in life. I learned how to lift weights and built friendships through it. These friends I now share a football field again with at Wyverns. Joining Tarannau gave me my first taste of coaching which has now led to something that has been my rock in the last year and something I now don't think I can live without.
So a short blog today to end the writing drought but an important message. That ten years has flown by and I regret none of it. The decision I made was the best one in my life and will continue to lead to prosperity and happiness. If any of my current players manage to read this, Coach Lydon was correct. Football is family and you will make friends for life by joining up and playing this great sport. You may not realise it now but when you get older and reflect back, it's impact will shock you.
I leave you with a photo from this season just gone. Not only did I get to share the field with Steve again but we both became Touchdown Tigers finally, in the same game. Football is family. The last ten years have been great. I love you all and can't wait for the next ten. #57 becomes #27
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