Thank You, Nebraska – University of Nebraska

Dear Nebraska,

As we head into the heart of another wrestling season, I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you.

You know, you aren’t even a part of my story, Nebraska.

No, man, you ARE my story.

You believed in me when not a lot of people did and ultimately took a kid from Jersey, brought him all the way out to the Midwest, and made him believe in himself—something that changed it all for me.

A lot of people talk about their parents and the principles they’ve instilled in their lives—you know, the things that help make them who they are.

That’s exactly how I feel about you for instilling the most important qualities that helped build the individual I am today.

Husband.

Dad.

Husker.

If you go to my bio on social media, you’ll find those words. That’s how important you are to me.

I’m so glad I chose you and even happier that you chose me, too.

And let’s be honest, nothing on this journey was expected. It’s not like I walked into a wrestling room one day and knew any of this would be possible.

I still remember being that little six-year-old kid that brought home a flyer saying, “Join your local youth wrestling club.” We were the Edgewood Eagles at the time, and I was a big fan of WWF. I went into this sport thinking it was going to be like what I saw on television, you know?

Yeah, it wasn’t.

There were no elaborate entrances, no promos, no storylines, and most of all, no wrestling ring. Truth be told—I had no idea what I was walking into.

But what I did know — I instantly loved it.

I guess being the youngest of four in my family made me the scrappy grunt growing up. I won my very first trophy at my first wrestling tournament, and I was hooked ever since.

I saw some continued success in my teenage years, but it wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I got a national ranking. As a result, I just didn’t draw a lot of college coaches’ attention.

And if it wasn’t for a good friend back then, I probably wouldn’t have drawn yours either.

But in the fall of 2006, you welcomed me with open arms.