Playing defense in soccer makes you a crucial player, yet your contribution in the team is mostly overlooked. Most often, it is the strikers and midfielders who bask in the spotlight. When you make crucial tackles and give assists, the only one who will be celebrated is the goal scorer, the striker. Defenders work as hard as they can, but most at times all this effort goes unrecognized. Even in the lives of professional soccer players, it is more likely for the fans to chant the name of the striker and not that of the defender.
In Ghana most kids didn’t want to play at the defending position. But there was always me, always at the defending position. Growing up I wanted to become as good and fast as Antonio Rudiger, and as strong and smart as Thiago Silva. Despite the fact that these players did not get all the glory, I admired them. Growing up as a defender, I haven’t had as much glory as the forward players because they produce more goals than me – but I was always willing to work hard and support my team.
This is like my family situation: being the first son of my parents, I sometimes have to lay down my interest for the betterment of my siblings and create good examples to impact a positive blueprint for my siblings. It feels like a lonely road, but looking at the impact I make on my siblings I derive the joy of being proud I have played a major role in their lives. I cherish being the “look-up guy” that my siblings are all proud of, and being the support system for their successes – much like I am for my soccer teammates.
Being a support system means sometimes using my own successes to serve as an example. I got straight A’s in all my classes last school year and my younger brother had all A’s and had a B in his English class. I told him to beat my score. So this school year, he has it in mind getting straight A’s to beat me. The last time I checked his grades they were looking great. I have always been a role model to my junior brother. He began to love and play soccer just because I was on the soccer team. I played center back (CB) in the team and he also wanted to play the same position as me but was later changed to a (center midfield)CM. Due to this I have taken it upon myself to help my brother get into college and continue to fulfill his dream.
Taking on this role can mean prioritizing others’ successes. Even though my younger sister is tagged the stubborn among the three of us, I still believe in her and see some strong potential in her. I see her to be smart academically so I tried to get her into a Goddard scholars Academy(GSA) program in Worcester but it was too late. I always tell her “Mau, you have the chance I never got, so utilize it.” She always replied by saying “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
Looking beyond the celebrated forwards, you will see me, at the back, preventing my team from conceding goals. Look at my family, and you’ll see me supporting their success. Being the backbone has become my priority.
What Taurus said about his essay:
I have been so interested in sport that my first draft revolved around my last soccer game where I got injured. As we all know, your college essay is supposed to speak about you that the first draft did not. My English teacher told me to think bigger as there is more to write about than sport-almost half of applicants from different parts of the country have sport as their topic.
With just a simple reflection, I released my leadership skills I have portrayed throughout my life. Of course there were obstacles, but I didn’t let that be a setback, I persevered and pushed through to write a good essay.
I am looking forward to continuing my education at Howard University – I am majoring in business; finance to be precise. I believe you can achieve anything you set your mind to regardless of your background, there might be people who will discourage you but find your village and they will help you reach your goal.
