Ready for the Return – University of Nebraska

The Return to Memorial Stadium

As a senior now, looking back, I’ve grown so much over the last four years.

I just hope to continue growing into a man and father my family can be proud of. This football thing is bigger than me.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to be back on the field and giving this another shot, especially after the 2020 season. My daughter was a couple of weeks old before they canceled spring ball due to COVID last year.

Words can’t even describe how hard that news hit me.

There I was, standing with my daughter in my arms, thinking it was possibly over. All of the work I put in trying to get to the next level—man, to think my senior year could potentially end like that.

But I never stopped working.

I thought about all of the lessons I took from my brother when I was just a kid looking for an opportunity. That extra time off gave me a chance to get back to those roots. I just knew I had to be ready when we got the call to return.

This is the game I love, and everyone back home, including my daughter, are depending on me to make it to the next level. I knew it couldn’t end like that.

When we got our season back, my goals, dreams, and lifelong aspirations—all of it—was back on the table. I made every second on that football field count, and it was the best I’ve felt as a college athlete.

It was actually the first year of me going through an entire season with no injuries. I dealt with a neck injury throughout 2019 that slowed me down severely, but as of right now, I’ve never felt better. 

I owe it to my family to find out how good I can be.

There’s no more thinking about myself now that I have my daughter in my life. Everything is about her, and I love it. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

It’s good to have a reason, and man, she’s my reason—every single day I open my eyes. She’s my life, and I love her.

That’s my motivation when I step back onto the football field.

I’m hoping for big things this coming season. I know we’re capable of doing better—winning games, being physical, and going to a bowl game. 

We are going to hold each other accountable and do everything in our power to reach those goals. 

Having you all back at Memorial Stadium will also make a big difference. I can’t wait to walk out there with my teammates and feel that energy once again. 

This is also for all of you.

Husker nation, let’s get it!