I have been around sports all of my life. My family from my dad's side really enjoys baseball and soccer. On my mom's side, they love their soccer as well. Even before I was able to walk, my parents put soccer jerseys on me. As soon as I was able to walk, they put a soccer ball in front of me to kick. This is where my passion for soccer started.
My childhood consisted of school and soccer practice during the week, and soccer games on the weekend. The nights before games I was either sleepless because I was really excited or I wanted to go to sleep right away so it would be the next day already. Soccer was my safe haven away from all the negative things that were happening around my life. I felt the most comfortable with a ball at my feet on the field. Soccer taught me how to be disciplined, healthy, hardworking, respectful, and most importantly it taught me what love was. Of course, I didn't always love what soccer brought; hard practices, early mornings, pain, injuries, etc. The love for the game makes all of these things bearable.
Not only does sports bring good things for you on the field, but it also gives you good off the field as well. All of my closest friendships have come from soccer. My biggest role model and person I look up to the most, other than my parents, is an old soccer coach. Sports puts many great people in your life that have the potential to make a difference in your life.
All in all, I believe that sports are extremely valuable to people that really dedicate themselves to that sport.
