Dear Football: A Memoir by Cameryn Martin
Written by mccormacke1 on January 19, 2024
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Photo by Daniel DeRonde
With just 23 seconds left in the game and Muhlenberg up big, I stepped onto the field as a player for the final time. As the team ran a return to the right and with every step to my block, I started reflecting on my career. The ball was squibbed down to me and for a split second, I thought I should return it.
“My last play ever, why not?” was the thought that I had in my head. I then remembered a phrase that I had heard for the 14 years I played the sport:
“Do your job.”
My job was not to pick up the ball. My role was not to be a selfish player. I had another job to do. I carefully took my steps and made a pancake block (blocking a player to the ground). After the whistle blew, I ran off the field with tears flowing down my face. My teammates ran over to me in an attempt to console me.
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Photo by Christian Benedetto
“Thank you for being the best teammate ever.”
“You’ve been through so much, but you gave it your all every day.”
In my college career, I played three separate positions: Wide receiver and tight end during my first three years, then defensive end in my final two (Covid-19 gave me an extra year of college football). The fear of not coming returning for year five crossed my mind when I tore my hamstring in 2022. This was my sixth hamstring injury in the calendar year, and I was afraid that I would do more harm than good. I already tweaked it during the indoor track season, and it was a huge factor on why I felt I had to prematurely end my track career.
I did not want to feel pain anymore with something I loved.
Fortunately for me, the time I spent away from sports in the spring allowed for some much needed rest. Upon returning, I committed to giving it everything I had- even when my coach told me that my playing time on the defensive line would not be much or even guaranteed. It did not matter to me.
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Photo courtesy of Montclair State University Athletics
For that entire offseason, I worked my tail off to be bigger, stronger, and above all else, healthy.
That opening day of camp I went back to what I know best: working hard. I was not on any special teams unit, I was not even in the defensive line rotation- I was at the very bottom of the depth chart.
I never gave up. I put my blood, sweat and tears into year fourteen. I eventually completed the season on either the first or second team of every special teams unit. Most importantly, I also finished the season healthy. There were games in which I did not see a snap, but I was able to be a supportive teammate.
I am going to miss running around like a madman at practice. I am going to miss the battles with the offensive line at practice. I will miss running down on kickoff. I will miss chanting for the defense on every third down. I will miss the hyping up the crowd regardless of the score. I will miss being with my teammates before every practice and cracking jokes.
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Photo by Daniel DeRonde
I will miss the team dinners at Sam’s. I will miss the post-game festivities with the guys. Above all else, I will miss putting on that helmet, tying those cleats, and strapping up those gloves with the same joy as I had as a kid. That enthusiasm I had playing will never be matched.
I was never the most talented, but no one ever outworked me. I leave this game with no regrets. I hope in my next chapter of this journey, I can give this game back to you. Thank you football for teaching me how to deal with adversity. Thank you for teaching me how to work as a team. Thank you for teaching me the importance of having a role. Thank you for being so fun for me.
By Cameryn Martin, Class of 2024
Featured image by Gabby Nordstrom