NFL Dreams: Always Remember, Youth is Fast-Fleeting

By Nick Hill/Special to The Call, Du Quoin Evening Call

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Hello again to everyone back in Du Quoin. When I began to think about what to write about this week, I realized that it has been a little over seven weeks since I left to begin training. It doesn't seem like it has been that long, however, time passes fast no matter if we like it or not. As kids when we are growing up we hear the same saying “ I can remember that like it was yesterday , as our parents or elders reflect on how quickly life moves, but as kids we never really pay attention because we are young and we cant wait to grow up.

However, now as I get older, I find myself sitting back and thinking about all the things that don't seem that long ago, yet are years passed. I can remember it like it was yesterday when coach Wendell Wheeler suited me up as a freshman on the varsity basketball team, but that was nine years ago. I can remember it like it was yesterday when coach Al Martin told me I would be starting quarterback for the first time as a sophomore against Sparta High School, but that was eight years ago. I can remember the great teams I was apart of as a senior in high school, 12-2 in football, and 28-5 in basketball, but that was over five years ago.

Going to Western Kentucky,transferring to SIU--all of these things really don't seem that long ago, but when you think about it, they really are. I began thinking about this yesterday, when a few of us were talking about how we can't wait for the draft on April 26, anxious to get rid of all the guessing, uncertainty and anticipation. However, when I got back to my hotel room I knew that April 26 will just get here on its own terms. For now I am just enjoying every day as it comes, enjoying the training facility I am at, and all the great people I have met along the way. Before I know it I will be looking back on this process and thinking about how “it seems like yesterday I was training to play professional football.”

I hope that all the young kids in Du Quoin have a chance to read this. Enjoy everyday like its your last because you are not guaranteed another. Try to enjoy and have as much fun as you can in every practice, game, and season because before you know it they will be gone. Also kids need to remember to be grateful for all of the privileges we have and to utilize the outlets that we often take for granted, whether they be athletics, academic, or creative.

My Uncle Norm Hill once told me when I was in eighth grade to work as hard as I can and just see where your dreams and athletic career will take you. I'm still doing that until this day, I am going to work as hard as I can and see where this process will take me. And for all the young kids out there remember when you think you are working hard, someone is working harder so that means you can work a little harder.

Take care,

Nick Hill