Be grateful for what you have in athletics and life

I have talked about this many times before but there are just certain times in your life where you need to realize how lucky you are as an athlete.  Maybe you are not getting the Division I offers on the camp circuit that you hoped but you should wake up everyday and be grateful for what you have.

The reason that I have written this article is the recent store of  Sam Maresh.  This prep linebacker was rated four stars by Rivals.com and had scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas State, and many others.  But Maresh turned them all down so he could play close to home at Minnesota.  He wanted to help the Golden Gophers turn things around.  And while there was an opportunity to see the field early, the chances of him playing football ever again are limited now after what a physical found.

On June 26th,  Maresh will undergo open heart surgery as he needs surgery to repair or replace his aortic valve.  This was a heart condition that Maresh was born with.  While it is still too early to determine if he can ever play football, Maresh feels that he will get an opportunity to suit up for Minnesota.

The only reason that this was found was when he was undergoing a physical prior to summer workouts at the college.  Here is what the article said (View the article here):

According to the e-mail, Maresh reported to the U of M on June 2 for a physical, where tests revealed he had a heart murmur. Three days later, after more tests, the family was told that Maresh has a congenital heart defect.

So here is a former four star linebacker who may be considered one of the gems of the Minnesota recruiting Class of 2008.  He was rated as the fourteenth best inside linebacker in the country and the third best prep player in Minnesota last year but Rivals.com.  And before he even got a chance to participate in summer drills with the Gophers, his career may be over.

What I think you should take out of this as an athlete is that you just never know when your final day will come.  It could be your senior year and your knee could give out, thus ending your career.  And while the cliché of play every game like your last should be considered, a minor heart defect can actually make it your last contest that you can play in.

I really do hope that Maresh ends up getting a chance to play at Minnesota.  He will be undergoing heart surgery later this month and then figure out if he has the ability to compete in college.  If he can get back, it will definitely be a feel good story about someone who had what they love probably the most snatched away from them before things were getting really interesting.

I will definitely be routing for him.  So keep this story in mind when being disappointed that State University didn’t offer you a scholarship.  The fact that you are healthy and able to play is a blessing in itself that many would love to trade places for.