Get. Up.

Get up.

Get. Up.

You lost. Game's over. Season’s over.

Your Senior season is behind you.

Your last game of high school football

Hits different.

You might pick up a bat and glove

You might find a pick up game of hoops

But never again will you

Buckle up the shoulder pads

Or tighten the chin strap.

You likely won’t ever play another

Down of football ever again.

And here’s the rub:

Very few finish their career with a win.

There’s only so many trophies,

And this one wasn’t for you.

In a moment, you’ll walk down the midfield line

Tap your opponents’ hands

Take a knee with your teammates

Listen to me thank you

Praise you.

But you won’t hear anything

Through the tears

Through the sobs and pain.

We’ll take the bus ride home

And take up all the pads

The armor you’ve worn every day

for months. Years.

All I ask is this:

Don’t make this the end.

I’ve preached this many times:

If all I’ve ever taught you is how to play a game,

I’ve failed you.

I wasn’t just teaching you football.

You learned how to stand tall

Against stacked odds.

You learned what it means to hurt,

And how to be tough despite it.

You learned how to focus

When everything around you spiraled.

You learned dedication to a craft.

The value of preparation.

The strength of resolve.

The need for brotherhood.

Restraint.

Perspective.

Resilience.

Guts.

You learned how to

Get. Up.

When others would stay down.

You walk away from the game tonight

But not from what this game has taught you.

Go now, and be a good brother, friend.

Go now, and become a good partner, husband.

Go now, and become a good mentor, father.

Go now, and fight

For what you believe in.

For who you love.

If I’ve taught you anything,

It’s that when anything in your way knocks you down...

Get.

Up.