Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Chapter 18. Patience

It had been only a few days since his two-touchdown performance but the media's excitement over Martin Jones was already gone. They had already moved on to covering other star players who were healthy and able to practice. Martin knew that's how it went. When you were on the field and playing great, everyone wanted a piece of you. When you were injured it was as if you were a ghost. Even the other players and coaches barely talked to him. After all, they were focused on preparing for practice and winning games. They were getting ready to go to battle. They didn't have time to deal with the walking wounded. That was the trainer's job.

Martin accepted all this, but he still didn't like it. And as Martin was feeling sorry for himself, one of the veterans who was the star running back on the team came over to him during the water break, smiled, and told him to keep his head up and that he'll be healthy in no time. The short exchange only lasted a few seconds, but it lifted Martin's spirits. Someone besides Coach Ken actually talked to him. It wasn't much, but it meant everything, and it was just what Martin needed to keep himself sane and hopeful about the future. Coach Ken had said that it's about mental toughness before he left the weight room, but unfortunately Martin was feeling pretty weak about his situation. Hopefully Coach Ken would have some answers after ...