Nick Gavin

A couple of days ago, one of my Mom's and I were emailing each other back and forth.  She told me about how my little brother had made the Dean's List (I'm not surprised, he's a real smart dude, sometimes he's just a little lazy) and how he planned on playing football again at Stevenson in the Fall.  When I think of Nick Gavin, the first thing that comes to mind is that he is one of the toughness bastards I have ever met...EVER.  Not only is he focused (when he wants to be) but he has this determination that is just relentless.  I mean the kid has one hell of a motor.  To really understand Nick Gavin I have to take you all the way back to 1993...yeah '93.  This was the first time I met Nick.  He was maybe 4 or 5 years old and he wasn't really that big.  Honestly, like me, he's pretty small, but tough...don't forget tough.  After a while he tells me that he wants to play football when he gets older and wants to play for the Lancers (*Blogger Note* Playing for Linganore is a privilege, not a right).  Being that I played football, I run him through some drills in his living room.  This is where I first took notice that this kid was something special.  I put him through the basic 45 degree tackling drill.  I was the ball carrier and he was the tackler.  I don't know what went through my mind, but my instincts kicked in and I juked him...the poor kid went head first into his fireplace...a BRICK fireplace.  Needless to say I almost shat my pants because this was the first time I had ever been to Tim Gavin's house...uh oh.  Well, Nick cried for about 3 maybe 4 minutes.  And the kid had the nerve to say, "Ok, I'm good, let's keep going!".  I was completely shocked.  A four year old kid just took a header into a fireplace, has the lump the size of Saturn on his nugget and he STILL wants to tackle.  If that's not H.E.A.R.T then I don't know what is.  Let's fast forward to the now.  Being that Nick took a couple of vicious hits, he suffered a few concussions.  He went through a down time like most football players do when their career is over.  But Nick, being the resilient and tough guy that he is wouldn't take that for an answer.  He worked hard not only in the classroom, but in the weight room and also in his personal life with his relationships.  Nick took the bad that was thrown his way and never gave up.  Even if he doesn't play a single down at Stevenson this Fall, it doesn't matter.  It shouldn't matter.  The only thing that truly matters is that he took his lumps, dusted himself off and got back up into the fight.  I can't even express how proud I am of this little guy because I always knew he had it in him.  Even when he didn't believe (and I can tell when someone doubts themselves), I believed in him and now he's proving me right...even though I knew I was right.  Lol.  Nick, I love you man, I'm very proud of you and I'm so happy that you MADE your own second chance.  Just remember where you were and how you never want to go back.  You have the biggest H.E.A.R.T I've ever seen.

P.S.  You're without a doubt my favorite Lancer...ever