How Soccer Changed My Life

Soccer has always been an important aspect to my life and myself as a person. My grandparents grew up in Germany where the sport is massively popular, and when they came over to America they made sure that their spirit of soccer was in their children, grandchildren and even their great grandchildren. At every family gathering, we would find the nearest soccer field and just go at it. Whether it was rain or shine, you could always count on us to be playing soccer. To be honest that is my favorite memory. I’ve won awards and medals for playing soccer, but they’re nothing. The feeling you get from receiving a medal is great and all, but nothing compares to the feeling of a happy memory. The ones you cherish, the ones that can make you happy on the saddest of days. I’d have that over an award any day.

I’ve really struggled with this throughout my high school years. It came to the point where my parents would pay me to leave the house and hang out with friends. That’s where I believe soccer has changed who I am. I’ve learned to be a leader and essentially and extrovert when I’m not the field. During my life, especially in my freshman year of high school, I’ve never felt comfortable in my own skin, I never felt good enough. That’s why I became an introvert, if I was in my room no one could judge me and I felt comfortable there. I had an awful soccer season that year. I couldn’t focus on my game, I didn’t feel good enough to be on the team and I almost quit. The way I felt my freshman year was dreadful. The one thing I thought I was good at, I could no longer do. I sulked, I didn’t go to school, my grades dropped, everything was going