I just finished lifting weights and started heading out to the field to shoot hoops with everyone. It was a day when a lot of people wanted to play a basketball game. The game started to get very serious and, being a competitive guy, I was going for every rebound. I went up for a clear bounce and another guy came out of nowhere and pushed me while I was in the air. I fell on my ankle with all my weight and felt my leg give out. I lay on the floor with tears in my eyes because I knew it was serious. My mother came to school and took me to the hospital. The doctor came out and told me I had torn ligaments and tendons throughout my lower leg, as well as a torn quadriceps. The doctor told me my chances of playing football again were very slim. As I left the room, I asked my mother to give me a moment. I just sat down and looked at my leg and started crying my eyes out. I knew my leg would never truly be the same again. I had to wear a boot for 10 weeks. Around this time, I started to think that maybe I could try football again. I went to the field for the last time. This practice, nothing seemed the same. I wasn't as explosive as I used to be. So I knew my career was over. That weekend I told my family I was quitting football and explained to them why. They were all very supportive of my decision. It was the hardest choice I had to make in my life. Abandoning my first love will always be