The Gold Is Along The Way | Part 1: The Mountain and the Chase
- Hardy Nickerson Jr.
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Football is a game built on potential.
It’s one of the reasons the game has become such a machine. Every week people are selling what could happen. Analysts break down matchups. Fans debate who is going to win. Sportsbooks adjust the odds. Fantasy football owners build their lineups.
Coaches recruit players based on potential. NFL teams draft players because of what they believe a player can become.
Nothing is guaranteed.
Until the ball is kicked off, everything is speculation.
Looking back, I realize I lived much of my life the same way.
I remember my younger self sitting in high school before social media was as accessible as it is today. During idle time I’d close my eyes and visualize my future. I’d picture myself making big plays on Friday nights. Then I’d imagine playing in college. Eventually I’d picture myself playing in the NFL.
Football wasn’t just the dream.
The Climb
Football was the mountain.
I believed that when I finally climbed it, happiness, peace, and fulfillment would be waiting for me at the top. I climbed that mountain.
I was blessed to play this game at the highest level at a young age. Along the way I accomplished things that younger me could only dream about. I played in high school All-American games. I earned All-Conference honors in two different power 4 conferences in college. I played in the National Football League. I was a captain at every level and I made plays.
By almost every football standard, I made it. But something was missing. The more success I had, the more I chased the next thing.
The next roster.
The next contract.
The next opportunity.
The next “good job” from a coach.
The next compliment from my family.
The next big play.
The next season.
The chase never stopped.
Stay tuned for Part 2: The Trap and the Turning Point
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