“Whatever’s going on in school, whatever’s going on at home, you can leave that crap at the door,” Coach always said. “This place is here for you to let loose and forget about all of that stuff.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” I always thought to myself, never taking the off-season workouts too seriously. For the past five years, football has been a hobby of mine, but I kept it at that: just a hobby. A part-time job. I kept it at the edges of my life because I was too ashamed to buy into the system. All of the pre-game speeches, the pep rallies, the foretold lessons of courage and dedication. I always thought that none of the hype of football was for me.

But, now things are different. Even though I’m labeled a junior during the school day, I walk through the doors of the field house as a senior, newly ordained as one of the experienced leaders of the team. Although the rules of a senior teammate are flexible, they are clear and simple: lead. Lead in character, friendship and dedication.

Throughout my life, I’ve always thought of myself as a good friend with excellent character. When it came to being a teammate in the locker room, I had it down.

Dedication was a different story. I never paid attention to the stories of motivation, and I never thought much of it. Coach always reminded us to never regret our time on the field. It took me until now to realize I’ve failed this resolution. Since the seventh grade, I’ve always practiced with “just good enough.” I’ll be honest; I’m content with losing. For so long I’ve lived under the cloud of doubt and indifference, and I can’t think of a better way to end my senior year than with a change of pace.

In the midst of working out everyday, I’ve finally understood what it means to “leave your crap at the door.” Every drill, every rep, every push toward the upcoming football season has claimed every part of my body and my mentality. There’s no room for homework assignments, problems at home or that fight you had with your girlfriend the night before. My last year of football will be one of just football. Even if my senior year will be stressful with school, a job and college applications, I’ve learned how to leave those things at the door, and pick up the workout where I left off.

“Whatever’s going on in school, whatever’s going on at home, you can leave that crap at the door.” I can forget about everything else and focus on football.