Dear Players Saying Goodbye,

Sports have been around for years. They have taught skills in life that are needed as we grow into adults. They show us how to treat others with respect and to try our hardest and fight until the buzzer no matter what. Our coaches teach us how to work well with our teammates, and teach us that if we choose to slack off in practice, there will be consequences. We learn that teammates are more than just teammates; they become life long friends we will always hold dear to our heart. As players we give up our free time to practice after school, we come home dragging our feet just so we can eat and work on homework so we can repeat it the next day. It may sound miserable, but we do it because we love it. We look around at our teammates and smile thinking of all the years we have played right by their side and have been there for them no matter what.

Some of us have been playing since the moment we could walk, others of us have been playing just a few years, but no matter what, we all form a bond with each other that could never be broken. We have been there for each other through the tears of losing games, teammates, family members and friends. We have been there for all the wins, birthdays and everyday triumphs. Many of us look at our teams as our second family. Others of us look at our team as the only family we have ever had. We fight with each other, laugh at each other, look after each other, but we are always there for each other no matter what.

When the day comes, whether it is senior year of high school or senior year of college, saying goodbye is always hard. You put on your uniform and lace up your cleats one last time as you look around your locker room before you walk onto the field to play your last game. You call out to you teammate to make the pass, you score, you hustle and play as hard as you can one last time. Then, suddenly the moment comes that you have been dreading all season. You watch as the younger players form a line as they watch you lace arms with your parents. You are handed your flower and silently wait for your name to be called. As you watch your best friend walk up as her name gets called, you think back to the day you two met. You flash back to your first day of practice at the age of three when you are clinging to your mom's side because you are terrified to go out and play with all these children you do not know. Then you spot a girl on the field, and you do not know yet, but that will be your best friend until the end of time. By the end of practice you two are inseparable and from that day on you two never left each other's side. You continue to think of all the memories you have created on these fields and bus rides. Suddenly you hear your name called, your chest tightens up and the tears come to your eyes. You walk through your line of teammates knowing this is the last time you will ever get to play by their side. You feel grateful that you were their teammate all these years and know that no matter what you will always consider them a teammate and a friend.

Years later, you will look back at the memories that were created through those years and smile as you reminisce about all those great times. You will always miss those times, but you will also know that you never took those times for granted. No matter what, those will always be some of the best days of your life.

From,

A Player Who Has Said Goodbye