May 16, 2007

MCLA National Championships Player Journal

Journal 3 - Day 4 - Brad Ferriell

This will be the last journal of my fleeting compilation to which I wish to address my teammates, my friends, my brothers, my family away from home.  I hope all 38 of you came to this realization at some point this year or in past years we've triumphed together.  Yes, we were embarrassed today but we did it together and came out of it the way we went in: together as one.  There was no intra-squad altercations, no what ifs; only the love for each other that was exchanged because as a team, we survive all road blocks that ultimately force the culmination of our season. 

I experienced something today that I had never expected.  Many of you came to me after the game and sincerely apologized for the outcome of the senior classmen's season.  I was taken aback.  What do you all have to be sorry for?  Are you sorry that you worked your asses off harder than any other MCLA team does in the fall?  Are you sorry that you gave up every Thursday night of the fall to meet me at 6:45 am the following morning to kill ourselves in the largest football stadium in the world?  Or is it that you are remorseful for providing me with the proudest memories I will ever remember?  I appreciate the condolences, but I want all of you to remember me, as well as the other seniors, by the great times we spent together and not the upset of our careers.

I know this is a time of limbo and assessment for most of you.  Work your asses off this summer no matter what your future plans are (chicks dig hard bodies).  I mean look at Ridella; if he wasn't married with a child...ehhh, I won't go there.  But seriously, it is hard to return in the fall after what we just went through and I know this.  You all need to re-evaluate why you shed blood, sweat, and tears for your Brothers in Blue.  I have seen too many cancers in the past 4 years on our team that can really break down our true goals.  Have a team goal, have a personal goal, find a reason why you play lacrosse; but once you find it, don't let it go and don't forget about it.  I play lacrosse for the love of the game!  Every time I step on that field I smile and no matter how I'm feeling at that particular time, lacrosse has always proven to mask my troubles. 

This game is my drug of choice and that is why I will continue to play and give back to the sport in hopes that one day all SportsCenter will want to cast is SickLax (Trademark Wes?) sponsored highlights!

Journal 1 - Day 2 - Brad Ferriell

Journal 2 - Day 3 - Bobby Morales