Target

In honor of the 10th Annual National Snapping Event sponsored by Nike in Las Vegas in a couple of days, I have decided to have a Rubio Long Snapper (who wishes to remain anonymous) enlighten us with an essay he wrote for a class in high school. I read it last year and had this week in mind for it's unveiling. I think you will know why once you get to reading this solid piece of work. With no further adieu, I give you Target by ______________. 

Target

Sparks fired from the bottom of my spine as I heard my name announced.  After two days of grueling preliminaries, I had miraculously made the “Top 12” finals round of the prestigious National Long Snapping Competition held in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This unique competition showcases hundreds of trained high school athletes battling for a glimmer of a glance from college football coaches by faultlessly throwing a ball upside down and backwards through their legs.

Rating high enough to make the finals was miraculous to me because my left arm had been useless for the past two months due to an injury to my shoulder.  Even though I had prepared all year for this event, the injury definitely had set me back quite a bit as my doctor had just okayed me to use my arm the previous week.

Because it seemed implausible that I could win, my tense muscles relaxed as the contest began.  The crowd settled and I calmly snapped my first ball … straight into the target. One after another, my long snaps inexplicably flew directly into the net of the target.  Applause erupted each and every time I won and, surprisingly, soon I was prepping for the final round of the highly respected National Long Snapping Title.

The buzz of chatter filled the damp field air and although doubts still clouded my mind, my body was operating on its’ own.  My final opponent, the top ranked snapper in the country, was an unstoppable machine who snapped hard without losing consistency or accuracy.  I cleared my mind of this thought as I scanned the bundled up crowd quietly sitting on the cold green turf and smiled at my luck so far.  As my name was called, I swiftly bounced up ready to face my fate.  If I hit the target, the title was mine.  I firmly set my feet the perfect distance from the ball, squatted myself lower while resting my elbows on my knees. My right arm extended to grip the ball while my left arm moved a moment after the right. Once I had full control, my weight shifted back to my heels. I tightened up like a spring, ready to release. Simultaneously, my legs locked out while my upper body and arms went through the opening between my legs. As my arms reached the furthest my flexibility could handle, I extended my wrists and locked out my fingers to release the ball. Fifteen yards and less than a second later the ball flew … into the net!

The crowd went crazy as my opponent and I gaped in amazement.  Hands were flying in my face, camera lights were flashing and the buzz was contagious.  I was filled with emotion – shock, happiness, disbelief and awe. 

As I pondered how I could have won, my answer silently came … the only answer I found … faith.  I believe faith releases our fears and allows us to be calm in spite of what is going on and I know that is exactly what happened that day.  This particular event was very significant to me because it was such a big leap of faith.  Considered the most important long snapping event of the year, I knew that I had to do well to prove myself or suffer the consequences of a poor performance.  The pain in my shoulder kept me from practicing and I even questioned whether I should attend the event, but something kept me going and I am very grateful.  My muscle memory clicked in leading me to my first National Title and proof that nothing is impossible.

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