It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since I first picked up a football, my heart filled with dreams of touchdowns and Super Bowls. Football has shaped who I am, teaching me about winning, losing, perseverance and teamwork. Now, as a high school senior facing the possibility that my playing days are over, I’m reflecting on what this journey has meant – and the lasting impact I hope to have made.

The most meaningful mark I’ll leave on football won’t be defined by any personal records or statistics. It’s my decision to donate my brain to the Chuck Noll Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh’s National Sports Brain Bank. Pitt’s commitment to unbiased, science-driven research gives me hope that I’m contributing to the future of football – making it safer for generations to come.

Over the past decade, I’ve had moments I’ll carry with me forever – national competitions, championship victories, and the thrill of competing with athletes from all over the world. But there have also been dark moments filled with tears and self-doubt, times when I questioned my abilities and wondered if I could keep going. Through all those challenges, I’ve learned that football is as much about resiliency as it is about skill.

Now, standing at a crossroads, I have to lean on that resiliency as I look to the future. There’s no guarantee I’ll play college football, and the thought of leaving behind the game I’ve dedicated my life to feels like a void opening inside me. I can’t help but wonder if all the hard work was worth it. As I wrestle with these emotions, I’ve come to realize that football has given me something more valuable than I ever imagined. It’s given me a platform, a passion and a path forward. It’s given me a voice.

In football, I’ve found a deeper purpose – not just as an athlete, but as an advocate for the future of the sport. I’ve stepped off the field and into state legislatures, fighting for the survival of the game I love. I’ve lobbied for better safety measures and stood against youth tackle football bans. I’ve spoken to lawmakers and industry leaders about the importance of preserving the sport while ensuring that the next generation of players is better protected than ever before.

Advocacy has shown me that football is about so much more than the scoreboard – it’s about the lives it touches and transforms. I think of a kid in a small town or inner city, playing football for the first time and maybe the game becomes their escape from the challenges that surround them. Maybe it leads to a college education, or the chance to start a business, or even a shot at the NFL, transforming not just their life, but the future of their entire family. The potential for football to change lives, to create hope where there was none, is what inspires me the most to protect and preserve the game.

A desire to leave football better than I found it has replaced my fear of the unknown with optimism. My brain donation is an expression of that desire and optimism.

I may not become a household name like Tom Brady, but that’s OK. If, someday, a kid plays football and finds a path to a better life, then I’ve made a difference. I’m proud to have had the privilege to play this game and to have fought alongside my teammates on and off the field. No matter what the future holds, I’ll always be a football player at heart. My body may leave the field, but the impact of my advocacy and my brain donation will endure. That, more than any touchdown or victory, is the legacy I want to leave.

As I reflect on this decade of football, I find peace knowing that whatever comes next, my journey has been worth it.