I remember when I was a kid, my dad and I used to watch football every Sunday. We never missed a game and Zack Dumas was one of our favorite players. We’d talk about the game all week long and recount his amazing plays! It was almost like Zack was a part of our family! So you can imagine how excited I was when I heard that Zack was being talked about for the NFL Draft.
The thought of him actually playing in the NFL made my heart swell with pride. I started to picture what his first game would be like, the kind of plays he would make, and the team he would choose to go to. I was so sure he would make it and be an instant success.
At the same time, I was also worried that with his size, he wouldn’t make the cut. I mean he was a star in college and rose to the top in almost every statistic, but I was still concerned that the NFL teams wouldn’t take a chance on him.
Unfortunately, my worries came true and Zack didn’t get drafted into the NFL. It was a huge disappointment and it crushed me. I couldn’t believe it. Even though I knew it was a possibility, I never thought it would really happen. It just didn’t seem fair that someone who was so talented and such an amazing player, wouldn’t get a chance in the NFL.
My worst fears were confirmed when my dad told me that Zack was already committed to retiring from football and had decided to pursue his masters degree in science instead. It sounds like the best decision for him at the time given the circumstances, but I still can’t help but feel a bit of sadness that he never got a chance to play in the NFL.
After doing a bit more research and understanding Zack’s career more, I understand his situation a bit more. Although he was probably good enough to make it in the NFL, many of the teams probably didn’t take him seriously due to his size. And while I still think it was a bit unfair, I admire the way he handled the whole situation. He channeled all that disappointment into motivation and he was able to pivot into a successful academic career.
I think the biggest lesson I learned here was about the importance of resilience and staying true to yourself. No matter how big the odds may seem, with good preparation and hard work, anything is possible. It feels like a cliché, but Zack is living proof of that!