The NFL draft just started, but for 254 young men, it happened long ago because it was what they did without, recovered from, and pushed through that got them to the position of where they are today. While the masses played, a select few practiced and perfected their craft- paying today’s admission of sacrifice for a ride on tomorrow’s abundance. Some needed a ticket for a better education-others needed a ticket for a better way of life. Contrary to the complacent, they knew they must first be willing to risk playing the game before they would receive the champion’s ring. Only the elite know how to draw gain from life’s pains of breaks, tears, and sprains.

When your dreams were snapped in half, it was your obsession to making that dream become a reality that bridged the gaps of despair. When all hopes were torn-when your family and so-called friends collectively said you needed to quit and give up- reasoning that you gave it your best, was when you gave it your all. You wagered the thought of Go Big or Go Bust- you risked it all-mortgaging all of your options and favors in order to play one final hand. If life wanted a fight, a fight is what life would get.

It was when you had the least that you made the most…out of every window of opportunity, every ray of hope, and every peep of occasion. Many times, life tried to sideline you, but you elected to tape your heart with passion and finish the game-you had too much to prove, not only to yourself, but also to others.

Success is found in the bounce-ironically, so is failure. Those who risk failure are in position to find success; those who seek safety are benched with failure. It is only when you are sold out to your vision and pursue it at all costs that you will catch your bounce.

And that’s when dreams become drafted.