Aug 7, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson answers questions before team practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
David Wilson: “Keep your dreams”
The New York Football Giants 2012 first round pick, David Wilson, exacerbated a serious neck condition last Tuesday. Today… he announced his retirement from the NFL. However, if you let Wilson tell the tale, it’s all been a dream anyway. Here are David Wilson’s initial words from his Giants.com press conference:
"Hey everybody. I’m not really prepared to answer a lot of questions today but I’ll try to do my best on some of them. I’m going to start by saying that at a young age I had a dream to play in the NFL. I did that, I played in the NFL and I scored touchdowns and I broke tackles and I broke and set records. I practiced with my teammates, got to play for Coach Coughlin, got drafted by the Giants. So at no point should anybody feel like this is over because in life everything has obstacles. We all go through our own obstacles every day. The main thing is, when you’re going through those obstacles, to stay focused and embrace faith and keep your dreams. Even if one dream seems to fade away, set another goal and set another dream and try to reach that.That’s the main thing… Any time… life will knock you down sometimes. I realize that I knew that since a young age. Everything hasn’t been smooth sailing for me hardly ever. I try to put the smile on my face and make other people happy. That’s what I enjoy in life. I continue living. When life knocks you down, I always say plan to land on your back because if you can look up, you can get up. But if you’re flat on your face, that can kill your spirit. Always think of it in that aspect – if you can look up, you can get up. So far, I can look up and I plan on getting up and living my dream and setting another one for me to live out."
David Wilson: “If you can look up, you can get up”
Giants fan, NFL fan, or just simply a human that understands the English language and lives life, those are powerful words from an inspirational human being. Take a moment to really reflect upon those words: if you can look up, you can get up. This is coming from a man that can no longer play football because of a freak injury. Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal enveloping the spinal cord. Something I know absolutely nothing about, but listening to David’s attitude combined with the irony in his sentiment is simply remarkable. Remember, this is a man that just a couple months ago out-aged his number 22 jersey. David Wilson is only 23-years old. To have that attitude while respecting and appreciating his own journey thus far is something to witness.
“We all go through our own obstacles every day. The main thing is, when you’re going through those obstacles, to stay focused and embrace faith and keep your dreams.”-“David Wilson”
To hear a young man who on the surface is losing his dreams say, “keep your dreams”, well — it leaves an impact on your day to day sense of reason. In a world where it’s practically a catch phrase to say, “our future in America is in the hands of our youth”, it’s nice to have evidence that tidbit isn’t always scary. For David Wilson, if he had a negative attitude and why me / why now response, this story would have a different tone.
And who knows? In a few years, once the in-the-moment feel good decision wears off and time slowly passes, one year…two years… ten years… David Wilson is suddenly 33 and his life experiences might alter that attitude. But for the moment, it looks like David is working towards a future behind a Sunday desk if you let Adam Schefter interpret his dreams:
Moving from one opportunity to the next: Giants RB David Wilson, now on IR, will be a guest analyst on Thursday's ESPN NFL Live at 4 ET.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2014
David Wilson: The Dream Continues…
Starting with a guest analyst spot on NFL live. Wow, talk about a dream. With David’s outlook on life, that guest spot should provide an indication of what’s to come. Much like the recent Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Strahan, “Flip” Wilson will show you that with a positive outlook in life, anything is possible. Even if it seems “improbable”, right Michael Strahan? Good luck, David Wilson… for those of you that missed the interview, watch it here at Giants.com.
In the meantime, here’s one last “Flip” from David Wilson, enjoy:
GIF Credit: NFL Game Rewind