First Blog Post of 2014
Published on January 3, 2014, by
Joseph Barksdale
This is my first blog post of the year, and my last blog post before I turn 25. I tried to get this post done before the New Year started but it didn’t workout due to my traveling from Missouri to Michigan. So I guess I should take this time to wish everyone a happy New Year as well (and good luck keeping up with those resolutions). So as you may know, the regular NFL season is officially over and the playoffs are about to begin. Sadly we didn’t make the playoffs this year, but the good news is that we get a brand new shot next season. Regardless of how our season ended record wise, I feel like we developed and grew as a team in the second half of the season and kind of began to find an identity and prove that we can compete week in and week out with anyone in the NFL and I’m really excited about the bright future ahead of us.
On a personal note, last year was a big year for me. I made a lot of new friends and lost a good one as well, I started a foundation, proposed, and did a LOT of community service. I also took some big strides in my career as a football player, I ended the previous season not even dressing during the latter part of the season, and I ended this season as a starter. I definitely have a lot to be thankful for looking back on 2013. If I’ve learned anything from the past year it’s been to appreciate perseverance. Perseverance is the only reason that I am where I am today, and the only reason that I made it out of 2013 successfully. Sometimes life throws curveballs at you and things happen that are hard to accept and understand and quitting always seems like the best possible choice, but no one that ever accomplished anything quit. In short 2013 wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but I persevered, and set the foundation for a bright future for myself as a result.