My downfalls in the 9th grade were keys to my success in adult careers

Article 3, Volume 15

August 31, 2025

 When I went into the 9th grade, I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career.

Challenge 1

I went out for the football team with 65 other boys from the school. It was understood that only 44 players would be chosen for the team. I must admit, I was lost when it came to the football gear we needed to play. We had to put on shoulder pads, kidney pads, hip pads, and some other pads. The only pads I was familiar with were the shoulder pads.

On team selection day, I was the 45th player, but I was selected because a star player had to leave the team for personal reasons..

I was the most picked-on player during the season. We had a game with St Emma High near Petersburg, Virginia, about a 60-mile ride on the bus. Everybody had a seat, except me. About halfway there, Lawrence "Bo" Weaver, shared his seat with me. He was not only one of ESH's all-time great athletes, but also a very caring person. 

We may have won 3 games that year, but the good news was that the school was adding the 12th grade, and only 33 players from the 44 would be selected next season.  The coach told me not to bother coming out next year, because I didn't show any potential to be a football player. 

I acknowledge receipt of his message.  I was determined to prove him wrong.  I subscribed to the Charles Atlas exercise book, and started working out frequently; drinking cod liver oil daily; a half can of Pet Milk mixed with water, and running at least half of the 2 miles to school regularly

When summer came the following year, my father got me a job at the saw mill.  My chore was to throw lumber for about 5 hours a day for about .50 cents an hour.  I enjoyed the task. I started acting like I was on the football field, yelling out "Bone Crusher !".. 

When the next season arrived, I was selected as one of the top 20, and I eventually received a grant-in-aid scholarship offer from a college to play football.

The lesson learned was that you do not have to be a rinky-dink, just because somebody says you don't have what it takes to play this game.

Challenge 2

I was chosen to represent my school on a popular radio show,  called "Quiz them on the air". This show aired across the whole tidewater region.  I remember Lillian Brinkley, the school's top academic student, and David Bullock from the Hollywood Community, as well as Carol Boone, a top student in her class, who were all on the team.  I stood out in rehearsal.  I was able to answer all 50 of the potential questions.

In my preparation, I glanced at two articles, but did not read them. Still, I don't know why I didn't read them.

(to be continued)