An old football field sat on top of a hill near Tom’s childhood home. Tom always saw the older boys playing around throwing the ball and just having fun. Tom dreamed of playing football one day and going pro. Little does he know his journey is about to begin. 

Tom one day went up the hill with his father when all the older boys left. Him and his father decided to have a little toss going. His father threw him the ball and Tom dropped it. However Tom just picked it up and surveyed it for a minute. He found the shape and size interesting. He grabbed the laces of the ball and threw a perfect spiral right to his father. 

His Father was very impressed with him and they kept having a toss until the sun set and their mother called them in for dinner.

Later that night Tom’s father and mother had a long discussion about letting Tom play football next season.

His mother was too frightened of letting him play because of how young he was and how dangerous the sport could be.

Tom’s father insisted that he should play because of the talent he possesses right now at such a young age.

They then both agreed to let Tom play the next football season.

 Tom was told the news the next morning making him so excited that all he wanted to do was work hard. Harder than anyone would at the time.

 Putting in the work helped Tom improve so much that he played with some of the older boys the next football season. Hard work can get one where they want to be. If one works harder than the other it only makes them a better player. Tom will realize this and work harder, yet would need to learn more to become a better team player then just a player.

Tom would continue to get older and grow up to be a great football player in high school. He would show everyone that he is not just an average football player. He completed his season throwing the ball for over 3,700 yards and 31 touchdowns. These stats were very impressive for a high school player.

Tom worked so hard in high school that his dreams of becoming a professional football player grew even closer. Tom was making the next leap to reach his goal by going to college.

Tom would take his talents to the University of Michigan where he would play his heart out knowing he may never get further than he already is.

Tom would end up riding the bench his first two years in Michigan where he knew his chance would come. Eventually it was his third year of college. Tom has spent years knowing his competition and knowing what he had to do for his team.

 Tom would spend hours studying his opponents knowing what they will do and what he needs to do to be successful.

He would end up playing two solid seasons at Michigan after being benched for the first two years. Tom threw for a total of 4,700 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Little did Tom know that his game style and life was about to change.

Tom would end up going to the NFL combine and looking like a nobody. He looked like one of the worst players that could make the NFL.

However, Looks can be very deceiving. Even though Tom didn’t look like he was in good shape or fast he had what most players didn’t. Tom was easily coachable and had a strong arm with a great mind set.

 Eventually the time rolled around to the NFL draft. Tom would be at his parents house in San Mateo, California, growing less and less confident that the phone would ring. Sooner or later his hope was restored when he received a call from the New England Patriots and ended up being drafted in the 6th round at the 199th pick.