Did you ever miss your chance?

[Damaramu 0]

I was just wondering if anyone ever missed the boat or there chance to play in a major sport? You know...you quit or you didn't ever have the fair shake? I'll tell you my story.

Since I was a kid I wanted to play football. My family never had the monetary means to get me into the Pee-Wee games. So I got to Junior High. I joined the team. I practiced all summer then the fees came....and my parents couldn't pay them. I couldn't play football. High School rolled around. My Junior year my parents finally had the money. Only problem was that I had a job and was to busy with school and work to play football. Plus I'd never actually gotten to play...so I didn't have the experience to run out on the field and play in High School.

Now I'm in College. I still wish I could play football. But college sports is an elite thing...if you don't have the experience you can't play. I've always been big enough and I've always been asked if I was a Defensive Lineman. But I have to say no. Now I wish I could play more than anything. But nobody walks onto a top ranked college football team, especially a national championship caliber team like OU and even makes the practice squad.

I guess I could always go down to the park with about 10 friends and play a few games but you know....it's just not the same.

 

So.....did anyone else miss there chance? I've just watched Rudy and it reminded me of my own football woes and how much I wish I could still play.

Anyone else missed the boat in ANY sport? Anyone just wanted to get out there and give it a go? But your chance is gone?

[2GOLD 0]

I had the size (still do but it was much better shape back then), I had the intensity to play football, and I was a very hard worker and had actually gotten myself into excellent shape for football my senior season. I didn't go out the first three years in high school since the coach was a dick and he only played name kids from around town, one of the reason tons of kids quit the three previous years and I was too busy working hard to get into college (Temple).

 

About a week before work outs were to begin, my brother died and I just lost it. I went out three days later, they were very understanding but my heart just wasn't in it. I didn't care enough about anything anymore and I told the coach "I quit" and walked off. I regretted it but I wasn't emotionally right to play and I had managed to not eat or drink anything for two days before the day I finally went in.

 

I don't know if I would have been big, but I know I would have been good enough for linebacker/DL and with my size and work ethic, I could have possibly gotten a scholarship or just walked on at Temple.

 

But I didn't play and I also decided against Temple. Basically, I was mentally screwed up and gave up most of my plans.

 

So goes life. I'm happy now and I do sorta regret it but not enough to think my life would have been better.

 

There, now where the hell is Montel with my free cruise???

[Damaramu 0]

I was just thinking of walking on to OU for piece of mind this season. Just walk out there and at least try to make the practice squad. But I doubt I could do anything. I'd probably get hurt anyways.

[Damaramu 0]

I mean the main reason I want to play isn't really for the glory. I just want to get out there on the field and mix it up. It seems like it would relieve some stress to make some hits and tackles. And it just looks like fun.

That's why I wouldn't mind just being on the practice squad. It'd be fun.

[jimmy no nose 0]

I made the varsity team in high school as a freshman and was the only freshman on the whole team. Our star running back got injured at the end of season leaving me to start the final 2 games and the first playoff game. I went 100+ each game and totaled 5 TDs. I was going into the next season as the starter, but got injured in the off season and had to miss the whole year, then spent the better part of the following year in Europe. I tried to return to playing senior year but wasn't the same after the leg injuries and the full two years off.

[the pinjockey 0]

I never really had a chance to do anything big, but I regret quitting baseball when I was around 13. I was a hell of a fielder (I played CF despite being one of the three slowest people on the team, because I could always get jumps and angles), but I couldn't hit worth a darn. When you are that age you want to hit and I couldn't so I got frustrated with it.

[Damaramu 0]

Anybody gone back into it or gone into it at a higher level having never played before?

I want to have confidence in myself....but I don't think I've ever heard of someone who's never played a sport before going out for a College Team(let alone someone like OU) and even making the practice squad.

I'm trying to gauge my chances of even getting on the practice squad. Or will I just get my ass kicked for a week and not make it?

Hey as long as I try out I'll be happy. I mean I just want to see what it's like. Give it a try. That'd be great. I wonder if I can even try out. Or do you have to have played in High School to try out for an NCAA sport?

[the pinjockey 0]

I seriously doubt they would turn you away if you came in willing to get beat up for a week. But it really doesn't seem to be the case where you just pick up football. You hear more stories about people just start playing basketball or baseball in college, not football as much.

[Damaramu 0]

I seriously doubt they would turn you away if you came in willing to get beat up for a week. But it really doesn't seem to be the case where you just pick up football. You hear more stories about people just start playing basketball or baseball in college, not football as much.

I think that's kind of odd. Because I'd think that Baseball requires the most skill out of the 3. I mean....I've played all 3 in Gym in High School and.......Baseball was fucking hard to do.

 

Yeah I'm sure I could go out for the team. I mean I think I'm big enough that if I start practicing playing flag football(or even full contact) with my friends, and start working out a bit I can at least make the practice squad as a defensive lineman. I mean I'm sure it wouldn't be to hard to block...and I think I could break through and pull enough tackles or even sacks to look convincing enough.

It's just getting in shape so that I don't puke or pass out that's going to be the challenge.

And hey...I have 4 more years of college(i'm just sophmore now...i probably won't graduate for another 4) so that's 4 years of eligibility to try out. I mean I can probably at least make it my senior year.

And at least I tried...that's good to.

Plus if I were to make the practice squad, hell even eventually get to suit up and warm the bench I'd be happy. Then I could say I played football for OU.

Hell maybe I could even come on here next year and say that I sacked Jason White at practice.

[jimmy no nose 0]

All the conditioning involved in football is crazy, even if you were just going to try and be on the practice squad for a week. Even if you think you're in good shape, after the first few days your body will probably end up being super sore. It took me a while to get used to the physicality again after trying to return to high school football after 2 years. I can't imagine what it would be like to step into college football without any experience.

[Damaramu 0]

That's why I figured it'd take me to till my Senior year to even get on... !

Besides just going to the try out would be good enough for me. I just want to try it. I just want to be on the line one time in uniform. Even if it is just a try out.

Know what I'm saying? I just want to be there and see if it was something I always wanted or if it is a phantom dream that would never have panned out.

Plus I know I'll be beat up. But I've usually been pretty good at toughing things out. I think that nothing but hard conditioning until the try outs would help me a little.

 

And I wasn't going to try and be on the practice squad for just a week. I believe try-outs are about a week long. If that's what you meant......then once again......it'd be fine with me to just try out. I've always had a thing for getting physical. I love to get out there and mix it up. That's why I bug so many of my friends sometimes because none of them are as big as me so they don't like to wrestle or beat on each other. I have a few that do.....but it's rare that they actually will get into it with me.........

 

Maybe I just need a stress reliever........*looks into kickboxing* Nah....I tried that. Loved it....but the tornado came and I lost my job so I couldn't go to work outs. And I had no way of letting the trainer no. He's the only guy in town...so he probably thinks I'm a big quitter.

[the max 0]

I wasn't really big enough to pursue hockey professionally.

[Damaramu 0]

I wasn't really big enough to pursue hockey professionally.

Did you really really want to?

Did you play amateur?

[Damaramu 0]

I'm going to do it! *punches self in face and screams*

I'm going to spend the next few months working my ass off. Swimming like Chuck suggested on AIM, lifting weights, running and anything else I can do to be in great physical condition.

But I need a way to work on blocking and tackling so I don't look like a moron missing blocks. Hmm.....anyone know a good way. There's always practicing with my friends but they're afraid I'll hurt them on a tackle. At 6'4" and 250 I'm by far the biggest of my friends. So I need a way to work on blocking and such. I guess I could just run into a tree over and over. Hmm........maybe not.

I need to also work on footwork. I need to be ready so that I walk out there looking like I've at least played a few football games in my life.

What to do besides working out like a monster to get myself ready? Former football players?

God this is a big step...a potentially life changing one. But it's in writing now... I have to follow through. I can't quit. It's my new year's resolution to try out.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Ho ho. Yes. I have a tale to tell for the generations....

 

It's been my lifelong dream to be either a professional wrestler or a NFL Hall of fame player... who hasn't? Anyways to my surprise, football came pretty naturally to me, and as of result I was one of those "60 minute" stars in Illinois High School Association football... meaning I was a hell of a receiver and a great strong safety and a good kick returner. Anyways, I was given a scholarship to play for Northern Illinois University. I accepted of course, under the impression I was going to be a freakin' receiver. To my dismay, they wanted me as their safety. Now I know you're all thinking "Well playing as a safety is better than riding the bench." I agree, but the problem is my size, which was good for high school wasn't good for college. Therefore I suffered a bit as a safety. Currently, I'm out of football with a career ending knee injury. However I am glad to say I am successfully pursuing my other dream, to be a wrestler.

[the max 0]

I wasn't really big enough to pursue hockey professionally.

Did you really really want to?

Did you play amateur?

Sure. Who doesn't want to play professional sports? I played in high school.

[The Dames 0]

Dama, as long as you go out and try, regardless of how well or how poor you do, it will give you peace of mind.

 

The worst regret is not trying. I hope you go through with it.

 

Dames

[King Kamala 0]

It could be like a poor man's Rudy Dama! At least give it a go, you can always brag to your grandkids that you were cut by one of the greatest college football programs. Me I've always wanted to play professional kickball.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

No chance for a college or pro sports career, but I did miss out on a chance for some little league glory (local league, not the LL World Series). I was the "star" pitcher on our team, and we were in 1st place, but we had to move to northern New Jersey (from the Philly area, my dad got transferred for 2 years for his job) roughly 1/2 way through the season. My team made it to the champ. game for the league, but lost. I probably would have had a good chance to pitch that game had we not moved.

[Damaramu 0]

Thanks Dames. That's encouraging. I really needed that. I just guess I needed someone to believe and tell me to do it.

Now I just need someone I know personally to doubt me so I can prove them wrong.

[2GOLD 0]

Also, running into and pushing a tree DOES help. It's one of the main reasons that when the football players challenged to a "block off", I was tough to move.

 

Don't get a running start though, just get down in front of the tree and do the slow motion surge. It will at least help with the force you put into a push.

 

Or, you could find a high school that leaves their blocking dummies out and slam into those a few times.

 

Best of luck.

[Damaramu 0]

I wasn't serious about running into a tree...but ok......you've all probably see the pics of me so you know how big I am.

But to give you a reminder:

That's me. 6'4" and about 250 pounds.

So I am big enough as you can see. Ok now I need to get rid of the gut. And then build the muscle. Chuck told me to swim for a few hours a day...then I'd be lean and mean. Then I can hit the weights hardcore.

Hmm....but that just gets me physcially ready....not technically ready. I need to know how to get technically ready....any other excercises? I wish I had some ropes to run....

[AlwaysPissedOff 0]

With your size, you'd be a linebacker, not a DL.

 

So, if I were you, I'd work on some conditioning and pursuit drills. Plus, you'll need to be able to shed blockers, so have some of your bigger friends try blocking you while another plays a RB/QB/WR/TE. Also, some coverage drills wouldn't hurt(just on TEs and FBs, maybe even RBs) at all.

 

As someone who's played HS football, I can definitely admire what you're going to do(I had started late in HS). Just remember one important thing while working out and doing everything else: MODERATION.

 

You're not going to be able to go out and run 10 40-yard sprints right off the bat or bench 300+, so don't try to so(I'm sure you're smart enough not to, regardless). Just get yourself up to as far as you can go(i.e. max out) and then just build from there.

 

Hope you're able to accomplish your dream, Dama. Best of luck to ya, man.

[Damaramu 0]

Thanks APO.

I'm still wondering if I will even get the chance. I don't know how the NCAA or Big XII or hell even OU works with students who have never played. I don't know if you have to have played before or if you can just walk on.

I searched all over the OU website but I couldn't find anyone to contact.

 

With my size I wasn't really thinking that I could cover a WR or someone like that. I don't think I'm made for hot pursuit. I was thinking more of the guy that breaks through the line and heads straight for the QB or stops the RB before he can move.

[Matt Young 0]

Ho ho. Yes. I have a tale to tell for the generations....

 

It's been my lifelong dream to be either a professional wrestler or a NFL Hall of fame player... who hasn't? Anyways to my surprise, football came pretty naturally to me, and as of result I was one of those "60 minute" stars in Illinois High School Association football... meaning I was a hell of a receiver and a great strong safety and a good kick returner. Anyways, I was given a scholarship to play for Northern Illinois University. I accepted of course, under the impression I was going to be a freakin' receiver. To my dismay, they wanted me as their safety. Now I know you're all thinking "Well playing as a safety is better than riding the bench." I agree, but the problem is my size, which was good for high school wasn't good for college. Therefore I suffered a bit as a safety. Currently, I'm out of football with a career ending knee injury. However I am glad to say I am successfully pursuing my other dream, to be a wrestler.

What high school did you attend (and when)? I only ask because I went to Chatham Glenwood, which was/is a top football team in the IHSA's 4A class.

 

I wouldn't say I missed an opportunity. I played basketball from 5th- 10th grade and football from 7th-9th. I was never very good at either, but I just loved playing. I didn't have the body either. Throughout much of high school, I was 5'8" and hovered around the 165-170 mark in (fat) weight.

 

These days, I am going after the one athletic dream I still have- always have and always will most likely. I've wanted to be a wrestler for a long time, and I even planned on moving to Maryland to train with MCW once I turned 18 (this was 2 1/2 years ago, at 17). However, as luck would have it, an organization called New Midwest Wrestling opened up right in my hometown of Springfield!

 

They opened for training in December 2001. I went there to take part in their free tryout. I couldn't sleep the night before, but I was pumped when I climbed into the ring for the first time. I took some back bumps, ran the ropes, and did simple drills. Unfortunately, since I was under 18, I would need parental consent and to have my mom sign a waiver. She wouldn't.

 

I finally started in October 2002 a few months after my 18th birthday, but I reaggravated a back injury and ran out of money (I had no job) and had to leave. I've still been to every show and know all the guys very well.

 

Now, I will FINALLY be able to go back full time in a week or 2. I'm in better shape now (125 pounds, very little fat) but I need to add muscle. My main New Year's Resolution (incidentally, the title of the next NMW show) is to have my first match in 2004. Wish me luck...

 

And Dama, good luck to you man. I believe in you...

[Guest Choken One]

I had some scouts telling me I was good enough for the show in High School but I didn't want a career in Baseball.

 

I wasn't one for conditoning anyways, I was like John Kruk, My only purpose was to have fun and drive in runs...So past High school, I would not have survived.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I went to Glenbard South High School.

[Damaramu 0]

I've got another thing with it.

Having never played football I probably wouldn't know where to line up on certain plays nor who to go for unless I'm specifically told.

Or is there a way to get around that? Should I search online for as many playbooks as possible and find them and study them?

Then there's also I don't know what certain drills are. So if I'm the first one up and they say "Do this!" I'm going to end up staring at them like a moron.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

No. Just ask a football player on the team you're going out for and ask him to help you out. And ask the coaches for the playbooks. They should oblige. And also... the drills are pretty self-explanatory.

[Damaramu 0]

No. Just ask a football player on the team you're going out for and ask him to help you out. And ask the coaches for the playbooks. They should oblige. And also... the drills are pretty self-explanatory.

Excellent.

Yeah if I was going out for a team like Baylor I wouldn't be as worried. But this is OU. A top ranked team. But I'm sure I could hang for try outs.