It was a clear, sunny, warm day at the end of August. Our football team had an incredible offensive line as we were filled with linemen each weighing over 200 pounds. There was a lot of pressure on us to be a really good team and they all pushed us really hard to be the best. Practice five days a week and lift the other two days, no days off was our motto! Our scrimmage had gone very well that day and as it was coming to an end the starters had come out and we were taking off our pads when I heard my coach shout from the sidelines that one of the players had been given a dard and that he needed my return. I put my leggings back on and went inside. The play was called and the ball was sent to my side. I threw my blocker and went for the tackle. As I extended my arms to make the tackle, I heard a tear in my shoulder and I couldn't move it. Everyone was shocked as I stood there motionless. I wrapped my arm in ice and was taken to a doctor where I had an MRI and was told my labrum was hanging down a millimeter. There was no way I could play football unless I wanted to tear that millimeter during the season and have surgery on my open shoulder. The coaches in the following weeks would persuade me to play instead of having surgery. Losing a 200 pound tackle on the line would be a huge loss for them and their number one mindset was to win. After careful consideration by listening to all of my trusted peers, I decided to have the surgery because being able to hold my child in my arms when I was older was far more important than playing a season of football. After my surgery was scheduled, my mom would always get calls from the coaches asking if there were other options they could negotiate instead of surgery. Winning has always been their priority... middle of paper ... delayed by homework and video games. "CBSNews. CBS Interactive. January 06, 2014. Keener, Stephen D. "Sports teaches children valuable lessons. " October 10, 2013. Luxbacher, Joseph. "Pros and Cons of Youth Sports Participation." Pros and Cons of Youth Sports Participation. UPMC. January 8, 2014. Silverman, Steve. "The History of Youth Sports. " LIVESTRONG.COM Np, January 10, 2011. Web. January 20, 2014. http://www.livestrong.com/article/353963-the-history-of-youth-sports/ “Statistics”. and Web. January 20, 2014 http://www.swata.org/statistics../