When I was 30 years old, I tore my ACL, MCL, and patellar tendon, with a lateral meniscus tear.
It was an arranged tackle football game, that I used to play with a large group of friends from work.
We played most Sundays, for my entire 20’s.
In my injury game, I recovered a fumble from our initial kickoff. That put my team on offense.
The very first offensive play, I’m lined up at tail back. I took a hand off, into the right B gap, and was pushing through 3 guys, when a guy my size jumped on top of the pile. My foot was stuck in the wet field, and all that weight just made my right knee twist awkwardly.
I heard a “pop,” in my calf. I knew it was bad. The big guy that ended up hurting me was a good friend. He gave me a knee brace that he was wearing.
I played the entire game.
I was in a lot of pain, and I could only run straight. I subbed out once each quarter, but remained our starter. I played QB some, because I was hobbled. I scored a TD, at the end of the 4th to tie us at 28 all.
Thankfully, we scored immediately, in overtime.
It had started raining and storming, so we were all muddy and bloody, with many missing sleeves or with torn clothes.
I didn’t make a penny, playing in that game.
I knew when I hurt my knee, it was probably the last time I would play football. So. I played, and tried to really soak it in.
I was correct. I never played football again.
I lost my job, because I had to have major knee reconstruction.
I lost my long-time girlfriend.
I could barely walk, for 6 months. It took a full year, to recover. I was able to limp around and clean rich people’s houses, with a woman I know. It payed the bills…
A year and some months after surgery, I went and got my job back (with a hefty raise.)
I got my girlfriend back.
The recovery was grueling. I had to learn to walk again, etc.
I was picked first, by the captain of B team. I had a responsibility, to my team and teammates.
Of course, I could have stopped immediately once hurt and the injury wouldn’t have been SO severe.
I guess I can’t explain, that feeling of overcoming so much adversity. The brotherhood that forms, with your teammates, is priceless. The feeling I used to get, from running some guy over, or around him. The feeling of a nice clean tackle. Getting to the quarter back. Making the catch of the day. The feeling of breaking another group of men, because you want it more.
The respect you develop for others. Learning to work as a team, regardless of your random teammates.
It’s humbling to be on the other end. Getting straight beat, by another man or team.
It gives me fire to do an extra leg set, or push ups when idle.
Winning NEVER, gets old. And losing always sucks.
The desire to constantly improve, and hone my abilities, is motivational.
Playing sports, means you want to ALWAYS be in top shape. In case you get called out, and need to go settle things. Basketball. Football. Boxing/sparring. Field/street hockey. Ping pong. Badminton. Corn hole. Fucking monopoly!
I will play, as if death is on the line.
Likely. The OP does not relate. But. I tried.
And it’s absolutely fine, if someone doesn’t like anything, for any reason. It just makes more sense to dislike something, because I understand it and it’s not for me.
Rather than just hating it, without knowing what I hate.
Or liking something that I don’t understand.
Even if the reason I like something is trivial, or simple, I can usually find something to appreciate in most things.