when I was in kindergarten my kindergarten teacher gathered us all
kindergarten teacher gathered us all
kindergarten teacher gathered us all around and she told us the most
around and she told us the most
around and she told us the most inspiring thing that I had ever heard in
inspiring thing that I had ever heard in
inspiring thing that I had ever heard in all my five years of existence
all my five years of existence
all my five years of existence she sat us down and she said kids you
she sat us down and she said kids you
she sat us down and she said kids you can grow up to become anything you want
can grow up to become anything you want
can grow up to become anything you want anything man with a choice of anything I
anything man with a choice of anything I
anything man with a choice of anything I knew exactly who I was going to become I
knew exactly who I was going to become I
knew exactly who I was going to become I was gonna become my childhood hero I was
was gonna become my childhood hero I was
was gonna become my childhood hero I was gonna do what he does
gonna do what he does
gonna do what he does fight for what’s right defend the weak
fight for what’s right defend the weak
fight for what’s right defend the weak live with honoring honor and integrity
live with honoring honor and integrity
live with honoring honor and integrity and be a leader that’s right as a kid I
and be a leader that’s right as a kid I
and be a leader that’s right as a kid I knew that I was gonna grow up to become
knew that I was gonna grow up to become
knew that I was gonna grow up to become Optimus Prime leader of the Transformers
Optimus Prime leader of the Transformers
Optimus Prime leader of the Transformers my eyes are open that day I could not
my eyes are open that day I could not
my eyes are open that day I could not wait to grow up and so later that day
wait to grow up and so later that day
wait to grow up and so later that day when I went out to the playground and
when I went out to the playground and
when I went out to the playground and some bullies pushed me down in the mud I
some bullies pushed me down in the mud I
some bullies pushed me down in the mud I just looked at him and I said hey just
just looked at him and I said hey just
just looked at him and I said hey just you wait because when I grow up I’m
you wait because when I grow up I’m
you wait because when I grow up I’m gonna deal with you and if I don’t get
gonna deal with you and if I don’t get
gonna deal with you and if I don’t get you my buddy Brian will because he’s
you my buddy Brian will because he’s
you my buddy Brian will because he’s gonna grow up to become Batman and now
gonna grow up to become Batman and now
gonna grow up to become Batman and now here I am I’m grown I’ve got kids of my
here I am I’m grown I’ve got kids of my
here I am I’m grown I’ve got kids of my own and so you can imagine my
own and so you can imagine my
own and so you can imagine my disappointment
disappointment
disappointment it is obvious a parent that miss Weaver
it is obvious a parent that miss Weaver
it is obvious a parent that miss Weaver lied to us she made it sound like you
lied to us she made it sound like you
lied to us she made it sound like you just get older and then magically become
just get older and then magically become
just get older and then magically become whoever you want to be and we all know
whoever you want to be and we all know
whoever you want to be and we all know that’s not the case I think that her
that’s not the case I think that her
that’s not the case I think that her heart was good though I don’t think she
heart was good though I don’t think she
heart was good though I don’t think she was trying to lie to us I think she just
was trying to lie to us I think she just
was trying to lie to us I think she just forgot to tell us the most important
forgot to tell us the most important
forgot to tell us the most important part she forgot to tell us how and so
part she forgot to tell us how and so
part she forgot to tell us how and so the question now is what should we tell
the question now is what should we tell
the question now is what should we tell kids about who they can be and what it
kids about who they can be and what it
kids about who they can be and what it means to pursue a dream now I’m a high
means to pursue a dream now I’m a high
means to pursue a dream now I’m a high school teacher and coach and I have a
school teacher and coach and I have a
school teacher and coach and I have a unique perspective because from that
unique perspective because from that
unique perspective because from that perspective I get to meet these kids
perspective I get to meet these kids
perspective I get to meet these kids these little seventh-grade kids you know
these little seventh-grade kids you know
these little seventh-grade kids you know that period of time when their backpacks
that period of time when their backpacks
that period of time when their backpacks are still bigger than their torso and I
are still bigger than their torso and I
are still bigger than their torso and I get to watch them grow and become
get to watch them grow and become
get to watch them grow and become 18-year old men and women leaving home
18-year old men and women leaving home
18-year old men and women leaving home going out to conquer
going out to conquer
going out to conquer the world and in that time I’ve seen
the world and in that time I’ve seen
the world and in that time I’ve seen some very special and amazing things
some very special and amazing things
some very special and amazing things I’ve seen some incredible growth and so
I’ve seen some incredible growth and so
I’ve seen some incredible growth and so there are really two things that I tell
there are really two things that I tell
there are really two things that I tell kids about who they can grow up to be
kids about who they can grow up to be
kids about who they can grow up to be and what it means to pursue a dream the
and what it means to pursue a dream the
and what it means to pursue a dream the first thing I tell them is that great
first thing I tell them is that great
first thing I tell them is that great things are possible but it is a process
things are possible but it is a process
things are possible but it is a process and the second thing I tell them is that
and the second thing I tell them is that
and the second thing I tell them is that dreams in and of themselves have value
dreams in and of themselves have value
dreams in and of themselves have value whether you accomplish them or not so
whether you accomplish them or not so
whether you accomplish them or not so for example there was a kid that I
for example there was a kid that I
for example there was a kid that I coached his name was Ricky fan Troy he
coached his name was Ricky fan Troy he
coached his name was Ricky fan Troy he came in he was just a little guy a
came in he was just a little guy a
came in he was just a little guy a freshman when I met him and he wanted to
freshman when I met him and he wanted to
freshman when I met him and he wanted to be a great triple jumper I was coaching
be a great triple jumper I was coaching
be a great triple jumper I was coaching track one of the sports that I was
track one of the sports that I was
track one of the sports that I was coaching and and he thought that he was
coaching and and he thought that he was
coaching and and he thought that he was the next big thing he had no reason to
the next big thing he had no reason to
the next big thing he had no reason to really believe that but he did and I was
really believe that but he did and I was
really believe that but he did and I was okay with him believing that because I
okay with him believing that because I
okay with him believing that because I knew that if he was willing to embrace
knew that if he was willing to embrace
knew that if he was willing to embrace the process great things would happen
the process great things would happen
the process great things would happen and he was and he did he loved the
and he was and he did he loved the
and he was and he did he loved the process every day waking up working hard
process every day waking up working hard
process every day waking up working hard getting better improving your skills
getting better improving your skills
getting better improving your skills sharpening the blades as I like to call
sharpening the blades as I like to call
sharpening the blades as I like to call it and so we started practicing in a
it and so we started practicing in a
it and so we started practicing in a very unique way researcher Anders
very unique way researcher Anders
very unique way researcher Anders Ericsson he is a scientist in the study
Ericsson he is a scientist in the study
Ericsson he is a scientist in the study of expertise and he also wrote the book
of expertise and he also wrote the book
of expertise and he also wrote the book peak and in that study he’s found that
peak and in that study he’s found that
peak and in that study he’s found that great performers expert performance
great performers expert performance
great performers expert performance practices in a very specific way and so
practices in a very specific way and so
practices in a very specific way and so we set out to do that I think oftentimes
we set out to do that I think oftentimes
we set out to do that I think oftentimes people get caught up in this idea of oh
people get caught up in this idea of oh
people get caught up in this idea of oh it’s simple you just it’s just hard work
it’s simple you just it’s just hard work
it’s simple you just it’s just hard work you just sleep less and you work more
you just sleep less and you work more
you just sleep less and you work more and you lift more weights and you run
and you lift more weights and you run
and you lift more weights and you run faster and you do all these things and
faster and you do all these things and
faster and you do all these things and that’s what leads to great performance
that’s what leads to great performance
that’s what leads to great performance and that’s not the case it is a special
and that’s not the case it is a special
and that’s not the case it is a special type of practice which is even harder
type of practice which is even harder
type of practice which is even harder than hard work because it requires
than hard work because it requires
than hard work because it requires research and studying that’s what that’s
research and studying that’s what that’s
research and studying that’s what that’s what we did I set out Ricky and I we set
what we did I set out Ricky and I we set
what we did I set out Ricky and I we set out to study muscular development
out to study muscular development
out to study muscular development biomechanics we filmed his techniques
biomechanics we filmed his techniques
biomechanics we filmed his techniques and every day at practice we would come
and every day at practice we would come
and every day at practice we would come out to practice intentionally
out to practice intentionally
out to practice intentionally deliberately with something that we knew
deliberately with something that we knew
deliberately with something that we knew we are going to fix that day we’d say
we are going to fix that day we’d say
we are going to fix that day we’d say hey today we’re going to work on the
hey today we’re going to work on the
hey today we’re going to work on the second step we’re going to make that
second step we’re going to make that
second step we’re going to make that perfect and in doing that he saw some in
perfect and in doing that he saw some in
perfect and in doing that he saw some in credible results now it did not happen
credible results now it did not happen
credible results now it did not happen all at once I like to make sure the kids
all at once I like to make sure the kids
all at once I like to make sure the kids know this is that Ricky spent a year
know this is that Ricky spent a year
know this is that Ricky spent a year being terrible it’s hard it’s awkward he
being terrible it’s hard it’s awkward he
being terrible it’s hard it’s awkward he was growing every day getting better
was growing every day getting better
was growing every day getting better every day but still well behind
every day but still well behind
every day but still well behind everybody else and then he spent a year
everybody else and then he spent a year
everybody else and then he spent a year to a year and a half being average to
to a year and a half being average to
to a year and a half being average to above average all so that he could spend
above average all so that he could spend
above average all so that he could spend to really one-and-a-half years being
to really one-and-a-half years being
to really one-and-a-half years being great one of the best high school
great one of the best high school
great one of the best high school tripper jumpers in the state of Texas
tripper jumpers in the state of Texas
tripper jumpers in the state of Texas and that’s quite a feat one day we were
and that’s quite a feat one day we were
and that’s quite a feat one day we were at practice you know he had watched his
at practice you know he had watched his
at practice you know he had watched his growth and so we were at practice and he
growth and so we were at practice and he
growth and so we were at practice and he was philosophizing about how far he
was philosophizing about how far he
was philosophizing about how far he thought this type of practice could take
thought this type of practice could take
thought this type of practice could take him and he looked at me and he said
him and he looked at me and he said
him and he looked at me and he said coach where what’s the world record in
coach where what’s the world record in
coach where what’s the world record in triple jump I was like oh that’s that’s
triple jump I was like oh that’s that’s
triple jump I was like oh that’s that’s 60 feet Ricky and he goes sixty feet I’m
60 feet Ricky and he goes sixty feet I’m
60 feet Ricky and he goes sixty feet I’m gonna beat that someday
gonna beat that someday
gonna beat that someday and when he said that I did not laugh in
and when he said that I did not laugh in
and when he said that I did not laugh in his face I didn’t sit there and say oh
his face I didn’t sit there and say oh
his face I didn’t sit there and say oh yeah Ricky I didn’t remind him that in
yeah Ricky I didn’t remind him that in
yeah Ricky I didn’t remind him that in the whole course of human history all
the whole course of human history all
the whole course of human history all hundred and seven billion people that
hundred and seven billion people that
hundred and seven billion people that have walked two faces sir there’s been
have walked two faces sir there’s been
have walked two faces sir there’s been only one person who’s ever done that I
only one person who’s ever done that I
only one person who’s ever done that I didn’t remind him of any of those things
didn’t remind him of any of those things
didn’t remind him of any of those things I just looked at him and I said okay
I just looked at him and I said okay
I just looked at him and I said okay Ricky and when you get to 60 feet we
Ricky and when you get to 60 feet we
Ricky and when you get to 60 feet we will then work on 61 okay and then we’ll
will then work on 61 okay and then we’ll
will then work on 61 okay and then we’ll work on 62 and we’ll just get better
work on 62 and we’ll just get better
work on 62 and we’ll just get better every day now there’s two reasons why I
every day now there’s two reasons why I
every day now there’s two reasons why I did not crush that dream reason number
did not crush that dream reason number
did not crush that dream reason number one is because Who am I to sit here and
one is because Who am I to sit here and
one is because Who am I to sit here and tell him who he can and can’t be and
tell him who he can and can’t be and
tell him who he can and can’t be and what’s possible for him with years and
what’s possible for him with years and
what’s possible for him with years and years of practice and research and study
years of practice and research and study
years of practice and research and study and improvements I don’t know I would
and improvements I don’t know I would
and improvements I don’t know I would have felt pompous standing there making
have felt pompous standing there making
have felt pompous standing there making proclamations about who he could be and
proclamations about who he could be and
proclamations about who he could be and what’s possible so I didn’t and the
what’s possible so I didn’t and the
what’s possible so I didn’t and the second reason why I didn’t talk him out
second reason why I didn’t talk him out
second reason why I didn’t talk him out of that dream is because dreams in and
of that dream is because dreams in and
of that dream is because dreams in and of themselves have value when I was his
of themselves have value when I was his
of themselves have value when I was his age I had a big dream I wanted to play
age I had a big dream I wanted to play
age I had a big dream I wanted to play football in the NFL and that did not
football in the NFL and that did not
football in the NFL and that did not happen for me but on that journey on
happen for me but on that journey on
happen for me but on that journey on that pursuit of that dream I got to I
that pursuit of that dream I got to I
that pursuit of that dream I got to I learned a work ethic I learned
learned a work ethic I learned
learned a work ethic I learned perseverance and because of that I got I
perseverance and because of that I got I
perseverance and because of that I got I earned a college scholarship to play
earned a college scholarship to play
earned a college scholarship to play football I got to travel the country
football I got to travel the country
football I got to travel the country play football on TV in front of
play football on TV in front of
play football on TV in front of thousands of people I saw some of the
thousands of people I saw some of the
thousands of people I saw some of the most beautiful and amazing things and
most beautiful and amazing things and
most beautiful and amazing things and met incredible people I met my wife
met incredible people I met my wife
met incredible people I met my wife while I was in college and everyday I am
while I was in college and everyday I am
while I was in college and everyday I am thankful for her and inspired by her and
thankful for her and inspired by her and
thankful for her and inspired by her and inspired by the family that we have in
inspired by the family that we have in
inspired by the family that we have in our kids all these things would not have
our kids all these things would not have
our kids all these things would not have been possible unless I stepped out and
been possible unless I stepped out and
been possible unless I stepped out and pursued that dream because of that dream
pursued that dream because of that dream
pursued that dream because of that dream I got a college degree which now allows
I got a college degree which now allows
I got a college degree which now allows me to have a job that I love and wake up
me to have a job that I love and wake up
me to have a job that I love and wake up every day excited to go to and so I knew
every day excited to go to and so I knew
every day excited to go to and so I knew that Ricky’s dream would have value
that Ricky’s dream would have value
that Ricky’s dream would have value whether he accomplished it or not and it
whether he accomplished it or not and it
whether he accomplished it or not and it did the really special things happen for
did the really special things happen for
did the really special things happen for him in pursuit of that dream number one
him in pursuit of that dream number one
him in pursuit of that dream number one he qualified for the state track meet
he qualified for the state track meet
he qualified for the state track meet and in that is something really special
and in that is something really special
and in that is something really special at McKinney High School the school that
at McKinney High School the school that
at McKinney High School the school that I was at the they have a great tradition
I was at the they have a great tradition
I was at the they have a great tradition where the if anytime an athlete
where the if anytime an athlete
where the if anytime an athlete qualifies for a state competition many
qualifies for a state competition many
qualifies for a state competition many of his peers the other students will
of his peers the other students will
of his peers the other students will meet in the commons area and just pat
meet in the commons area and just pat
meet in the commons area and just pat him on the back and affirm him and
him on the back and affirm him and
him on the back and affirm him and congratulate him and so they did that
congratulate him and so they did that
congratulate him and so they did that for Ricky they sent him out as we were
for Ricky they sent him out as we were
for Ricky they sent him out as we were walking out to go to the to get in the
walking out to go to the to get in the
walking out to go to the to get in the SUV now he comes out he sees the SUV is
SUV now he comes out he sees the SUV is
SUV now he comes out he sees the SUV is all painted up the cheerleaders are all
all painted up the cheerleaders are all
all painted up the cheerleaders are all there and their cheerleading attire and
there and their cheerleading attire and
there and their cheerleading attire and the dance team and they create a little
the dance team and they create a little
the dance team and they create a little pom pom tunnel for him to walk through
pom pom tunnel for him to walk through
pom pom tunnel for him to walk through and then on top of that we get into the
and then on top of that we get into the
and then on top of that we get into the SUV and I’m going over the itinerary
SUV and I’m going over the itinerary
SUV and I’m going over the itinerary with him hey we’re gonna go to the hotel
with him hey we’re gonna go to the hotel
with him hey we’re gonna go to the hotel it’s got a pool we’re gonna wake up the
it’s got a pool we’re gonna wake up the
it’s got a pool we’re gonna wake up the next morning we got to be up by this
next morning we got to be up by this
next morning we got to be up by this time because they have a continental
time because they have a continental
time because they have a continental breakfast and he’s like whoa whoa coach
breakfast and he’s like whoa whoa coach
breakfast and he’s like whoa whoa coach what are you talking about pool
what are you talking about pool
what are you talking about pool continental Brett what’s it what’s a
continental Brett what’s it what’s a
continental Brett what’s it what’s a continental breakfast so I had to
continental breakfast so I had to
continental breakfast so I had to explain to him you know it’s a free
explain to him you know it’s a free
explain to him you know it’s a free breakfast and all these things are
breakfast and all these things are
breakfast and all these things are blowing his mind he’s asking these
blowing his mind he’s asking these
blowing his mind he’s asking these questions and I started to realize man
questions and I started to realize man
questions and I started to realize man I’m not sure he’s ever been to a hotel
I’m not sure he’s ever been to a hotel
I’m not sure he’s ever been to a hotel before and then on top of that he gets
before and then on top of that he gets
before and then on top of that he gets handed an envelope full of his per diem
handed an envelope full of his per diem
handed an envelope full of his per diem money the school gives him money so that
money the school gives him money so that
money the school gives him money so that when he’s away in Austin away from home
when he’s away in Austin away from home
when he’s away in Austin away from home he can buy meals and breakfast lunch and
he can buy meals and breakfast lunch and
he can buy meals and breakfast lunch and dinner and so he’s sitting there
dinner and so he’s sitting there
dinner and so he’s sitting there thumbing through this envelope of money
thumbing through this envelope of money
thumbing through this envelope of money I’m not sure he’s ever seen how much
I’m not sure he’s ever seen how much
I’m not sure he’s ever seen how much money in one place and the journey
money in one place and the journey
money in one place and the journey continued and the excitement continued
continued and the excitement continued
continued and the excitement continued and now it’s the day of the
and now it’s the day of the
and now it’s the day of the state track meet it’s been building to
state track meet it’s been building to
state track meet it’s been building to this point we’ve already warmed up we’ve
this point we’ve already warmed up we’ve
this point we’ve already warmed up we’ve walked to the entrance of the of the
walked to the entrance of the of the
walked to the entrance of the of the venue this is the time where the athlete
venue this is the time where the athlete
venue this is the time where the athlete walks out onto the track and I as the
walks out onto the track and I as the
walks out onto the track and I as the coach have to go to the coach’s box and
coach have to go to the coach’s box and
coach have to go to the coach’s box and so I just hug him and I tell him I love
so I just hug him and I tell him I love
so I just hug him and I tell him I love him I tell him I’m proud of him and that
him I tell him I’m proud of him and that
him I tell him I’m proud of him and that I’m so excited for him and we’re all
I’m so excited for him and we’re all
I’m so excited for him and we’re all gonna love him we’re all gonna be proud
gonna love him we’re all gonna be proud
gonna love him we’re all gonna be proud of him no matter how he does and I put
of him no matter how he does and I put
of him no matter how he does and I put my arm around him and I go to walk him
my arm around him and I go to walk him
my arm around him and I go to walk him into that venue and he kind of puts the
into that venue and he kind of puts the
into that venue and he kind of puts the brakes on me and I walk around and I
brakes on me and I walk around and I
brakes on me and I walk around and I look in his face and he’s looking into
look in his face and he’s looking into
look in his face and he’s looking into the stands and he sees all these people
the stands and he sees all these people
the stands and he sees all these people the stands are packed and he’s got this
the stands are packed and he’s got this
the stands are packed and he’s got this look of terror on his face of just
look of terror on his face of just
look of terror on his face of just absolute fear and he’s sitting there and
absolute fear and he’s sitting there and
absolute fear and he’s sitting there and I watch him he’s kind of nodding to
I watch him he’s kind of nodding to
I watch him he’s kind of nodding to himself and I know he’s giving himself a
himself and I know he’s giving himself a
himself and I know he’s giving himself a little pep talk and then finally he just
little pep talk and then finally he just
little pep talk and then finally he just looks at me and he just goes I got this
looks at me and he just goes I got this
looks at me and he just goes I got this and he walks out there and that in and
and he walks out there and that in and
and he walks out there and that in and of itself is a skill set to be able to
of itself is a skill set to be able to
of itself is a skill set to be able to feel the fear and to persevere is a
feel the fear and to persevere is a
feel the fear and to persevere is a skill set that cannot be learned on the
skill set that cannot be learned on the
skill set that cannot be learned on the couch but can only be learned in the
couch but can only be learned in the
couch but can only be learned in the heat of the battle where you are testing
heat of the battle where you are testing
heat of the battle where you are testing yourself against the Giants and that is
yourself against the Giants and that is
yourself against the Giants and that is something that he will use with him the
something that he will use with him the
something that he will use with him the rest of his life and so that’s why those
rest of his life and so that’s why those
rest of his life and so that’s why those dreams are valuable he went out he
dreams are valuable he went out he
dreams are valuable he went out he performed better than he had ever done
performed better than he had ever done
performed better than he had ever done he got himself a big fat state medal
he got himself a big fat state medal
he got himself a big fat state medal after the track meet we go to Joe’s Crab
after the track meet we go to Joe’s Crab
after the track meet we go to Joe’s Crab Shack he picked the restaurant he’s
Shack he picked the restaurant he’s
Shack he picked the restaurant he’s sitting there he’s got his appetizer his
sitting there he’s got his appetizer his
sitting there he’s got his appetizer his entree his dessert he’s ordered one of
entree his dessert he’s ordered one of
entree his dessert he’s ordered one of everything on the menu he’s got his soda
everything on the menu he’s got his soda
everything on the menu he’s got his soda there he’s surrounded by his friends and
there he’s surrounded by his friends and
there he’s surrounded by his friends and his family he still has that big metal
his family he still has that big metal
his family he still has that big metal on his chest and he leans forward and he
on his chest and he leans forward and he
on his chest and he leans forward and he says coach where this is crazy and I
says coach where this is crazy and I
says coach where this is crazy and I agree when you pursue a dream when you
agree when you pursue a dream when you
agree when you pursue a dream when you step out to accomplish something special
step out to accomplish something special
step out to accomplish something special amazing things happen crazy things
amazing things happen crazy things
amazing things happen crazy things happen expect adventure and that’s what
happen expect adventure and that’s what
happen expect adventure and that’s what he got and I’ll and and the the medal
he got and I’ll and and the the medal
he got and I’ll and and the the medal that’s awesome and the adventure in the
that’s awesome and the adventure in the
that’s awesome and the adventure in the stories
stories
stories those are awesome but what is really
those are awesome but what is really
those are awesome but what is really special is the character that he learned
special is the character that he learned
special is the character that he learned the perseverance that he earned the
the perseverance that he earned the
the perseverance that he earned the courage that he that he gained all these
courage that he that he gained all these
courage that he that he gained all these things have value and he’s gonna be that
things have value and he’s gonna be that
things have value and he’s gonna be that type of father he’s gonna be a father
type of father he’s gonna be a father
type of father he’s gonna be a father that uses that work ethic with his kids
that uses that work ethic with his kids
that uses that work ethic with his kids and and his family and his wife he’s
and and his family and his wife he’s
and and his family and his wife he’s gonna be the type of employee that knows
gonna be the type of employee that knows
gonna be the type of employee that knows how to persevere under pressure he is
how to persevere under pressure he is
how to persevere under pressure he is not the only one there are tons of kids
not the only one there are tons of kids
not the only one there are tons of kids just like Ricky fan Troy who pursued a
just like Ricky fan Troy who pursued a
just like Ricky fan Troy who pursued a dream and along the way gained so much
dream and along the way gained so much
dream and along the way gained so much more than they ever imagined for example
more than they ever imagined for example
more than they ever imagined for example there’s a kid up there he plays major
there’s a kid up there he plays major
there’s a kid up there he plays major league baseball there’s another kid up
league baseball there’s another kid up
league baseball there’s another kid up there he plays football in the NFL there
there he plays football in the NFL there
there he plays football in the NFL there are multiple kids up there who’ve won
are multiple kids up there who’ve won
are multiple kids up there who’ve won state championships in track and field
state championships in track and field
state championships in track and field and there are also kids up there whose
and there are also kids up there whose
and there are also kids up there whose dreams ended in disappointment but when
dreams ended in disappointment but when
dreams ended in disappointment but when they got to the end of that road the
they got to the end of that road the
they got to the end of that road the same is for me when I did not get
same is for me when I did not get
same is for me when I did not get drafted to play football in the NFL I
drafted to play football in the NFL I
drafted to play football in the NFL I looked around and I looked at my family
looked around and I looked at my family
looked around and I looked at my family and I looked at my job and I looked at
and I looked at my job and I looked at
and I looked at my job and I looked at all these people that I’ve met and
all these people that I’ve met and
all these people that I’ve met and things that I’ve gotten to seeing the
things that I’ve gotten to seeing the
things that I’ve gotten to seeing the character of her and I realized I was
character of her and I realized I was
character of her and I realized I was not left empty handed and that is what’s
not left empty handed and that is what’s
not left empty handed and that is what’s special I believe that pursuing a dream
special I believe that pursuing a dream
special I believe that pursuing a dream is valuable almost I won’t almost would
is valuable almost I won’t almost would
is valuable almost I won’t almost would go as far as I say necessary for a
go as far as I say necessary for a
go as far as I say necessary for a child’s development researcher Angela
child’s development researcher Angela
child’s development researcher Angela Duckworth says this about
Duckworth says this about
Duckworth says this about extracurricular activities she says it
extracurricular activities she says it
extracurricular activities she says it as a parent and a social scientist I
as a parent and a social scientist I
as a parent and a social scientist I would recommend that as soon as your
would recommend that as soon as your
would recommend that as soon as your child is old enough you find something
child is old enough you find something
child is old enough you find something they might enjoy outside of class and
they might enjoy outside of class and
they might enjoy outside of class and you sign them up be it band Orchestra
you sign them up be it band Orchestra
you sign them up be it band Orchestra debate team chess club theater sports
debate team chess club theater sports
debate team chess club theater sports any of those things but something that a
any of those things but something that a
any of those things but something that a kid can persevere in and pursue and
kid can persevere in and pursue and
kid can persevere in and pursue and something that will cause them to step
something that will cause them to step
something that will cause them to step out and and try and do something great
out and and try and do something great
out and and try and do something great that is what is special and so when I
that is what is special and so when I
that is what is special and so when I look at myself as a five-year-old kid
look at myself as a five-year-old kid
look at myself as a five-year-old kid and I think about who I was then and I
and I think about who I was then and I
and I think about who I was then and I think about the kids that I coach now
think about the kids that I coach now
think about the kids that I coach now and I think about my dreams
and I think about my dreams
and I think about my dreams that I had then and who I’ve become I’ve
that I had then and who I’ve become I’ve
that I had then and who I’ve become I’ve realized
realized
realized that miss Weaver did not lie to us after
that miss Weaver did not lie to us after
that miss Weaver did not lie to us after all because in the end when you pursue a
all because in the end when you pursue a
all because in the end when you pursue a dream
dream
dream you really do transform thank you
you really do transform thank you
you really do transform thank you [Applause]
”
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