NFL Hall of Fame or Bust

Melvin Casey Lars

6 years ago

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The pain of failure—be it of a global nature or something as mundane as losing a simple bet—can be devastating, disappointing, and for some, demoralizing. Our failures may be quantifiable and the disappointment that accompanies each unrealized dream can become an albatross incessantly sitting on the horizon. Although my dreams were numerous, today, I will address my quest to become one of the greatest football players on the continent.

My dream was to become a professional football player and enter the NFL coaching ranks upon completion of what I expected to be an illustrious, spectacular playing career. My college career as a player was cut short due to numerous situations, negating any hopes of being drafted by an NFL team. Upon completion of college, I pursued an alternate route by joining a then-excelling in a now-defunct minor football league. This league was somewhat equivalent to today’s minor league baseball leagues but on a smaller scale.

I was fortunate enough to “try-out/free-agent” with a couple of NFL teams. Unfortunately, my height was always an issue. It never seemed to matter that I was more athletically astute and physically superior than most of my more “lengthy” competition. I was blessed with; aptitude, physicality, desire, and speed.

Having this dream deferred, I turned my focus to my quest to become a quintessential educator. Blessed to have been named teacher of the year, I was a high school principal, wrote a successful education program (Dare To Be Positive- Nontraditional tutorial program), coached on high school championship teams, and assisted many young men and women to realize their dreams of attending and graduating from college.

Between pursuing this dream and having to earn a living as an instructor/coach and administrator, I was afforded the opportunity to continue to work as an instructor after another failed attempt at making an NFL roster. I was and remain honored and privilege to instruct/coach for Principal Dr. George McKenna III of the “George McKenna Story” (Dr. McKenna’s character was played by the great Denzel Washington) of Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. During this time, I continued to dream of becoming an NFL stalwart even though the odds were not in my favor; neither was my age.

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Pain is real, and a deferred dream may significantly magnify that pain if one fails to take control of one’s emotions and realities fervently adapting an attitude to “Step-Forward.”

Eliminate the adage “Fall back on.” Champions do not “fall back,” they “step forward.” See yourself as a champion! As you work to achieve your dream and it doesn’t work, “falling back” is not an option! “Step forward” while maintaining control of your emotions and the reality of the situation.

The anger and consternation of failing to achieve my dream of becoming an NFL Hall of Famer continued to haunt me. My eyes began to open as I began to realize and focus on the dreams that I had already accomplished.

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