So ... where’s the party at after this? No, I’m just kidding … kind of. But seriously, where is it at. After the game tonight my soccer career will be over, and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that is ready to retire from it, but I’m going to miss it. Soccer is part of the reason I am at where I’m at in my life and for that I’d like to take a second and give my thanks to the game. Every time I’ve taken my jersey off at the end of the season there has always been another jersey to put on next season. When I take my jersey off tonight, after starting all 72 of 72 straight games during the course my four year career at Saint Mary’s (and yeah, that’s a record, ask about me) there won’t be another soccer jersey to put on next year; there won’t be a team to belong to. I guess what I’m trying to say to my younger teammates is enjoy it for what it is, while it lasts. I didn’t always enjoy it like I should have, and now it’s gone.
Eventually, this soccer thing is going to end for you guys, too, and you won’t be able to get it back. Live it up, do something crazy. I’ll allow it. I didn’t win as many of those 72 games as I would have liked to, but I left what I had on the field, and we played good teams. I’ll leave it at that.
I’ve never been real great at communicating with words, but I’ll try my best to salute the people who got me thus far in my life. Mom and Dad — there is no way I could thank you enough for everything you’ve done and still do for me. I know that loving me isn’t always easy, but even after everything we’ve been through you’ve never stopped loving me. I love you both. Dad — I’m proud you’re my old man, I just hope one day I make you as proud as you’ve made me. I know it doesn’t seem like it sometimes, but I remember everything you ever taught me. Momma — I love you. I’m always going to be your little boy, and your always going to be my momma no matter how old I get. Don’t think that I forgot about you either Kelsey, you’re the only sister I got. Kelsey — you’re one of my best friends. I will never let anything happen to you. You know if you ever need anything you can always come to me. I love you kid. I couldn’t have made it this far through life without you three. Thank you for loving me.
I’d also like to say thank-you to the Neu family, the Gas family, the Volini family, the Radamacher family, the Szfranski family, and the Venter family. Thank you for helping me out in the many ways you did, and making me feel welcome. I’d like to thank my coaches for never giving up on me, even though at times they might have wanted to.
Thank you Mary for doing your best to keep me healthy and on the field. I’d like to thank my friends all across the globe, and you know who you is. If you ever had to put up with me in general, THANK YOU. To my guys on the team, it has been real. Rad- there’s nothing else to say but cheers. Neu — you’ll always be my monkey. Robert — you are me. Jua — catching snakes on freshmen LCT nature walks. Adam — I’m gonna go to my trunk. Adair- you come from a rough hood. Tony — good hippo touch. Kam — muscle hamster. Gunnar — absolutely. To the players before me: Lucas — you already know. Jermaine — I love hot sauce. Jon — Church homie. To the whole returning team, if I didn’t mention your name specifically don’t worry, I still got love for ya’ll- good luck in years to come, no mercy in the alumni game. I’ll allow it. Anyways, thank you everybody who has been there for me, but my time here has come to an end. It’s time for me to break down a new door. I’ll see you on the other side. Gas Pedal.
Goodnight Ziggy,
P.S. The Chiefs is always winning, baby. |
