ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - First off, I have to give all glory to the man above for giving me an opportunity to continue playing the game that I love after college.          

Growing up in Elk Grove my entire life I had wanted to pursue the dreams of what others accomplished like Lance Briggs (Elk Grove High School), Taron Johnson (Sheldon High School) and one of my former coaches, Brandyn Thompson (Franklin High School), in playing in the National Football League.                  

Without them knowing, they had provided a seed of faith that I could accomplish what they had done by playing at the highest level possible, especially when I was coming out of Pleasant Grove High School, which is more known for its academics than producing professional athletes.                         

However, names like brothers Cody and Wyatt Demps, Erik and Armond Armstead and Cole Hikutni continued to drive the dream that I had, knowing they had also gone through the halls of Pleasant Grove.         

Understanding that it did not matter where I went to high school, but the amount of effort and pride that I put into the sport would not lead me astray.              

It was a difficult and frustrating path, not getting a scholarship out of high school. That ultimately put me on the junior college route where I had gone to American River College during Covid.     

And to this day I use what Jon Osterhout had taught in how to approach not just football, but life. I was able to receive a scholarship to Eastern New Mexico University just before the season began, with the help of my mentor/quarterback coach, Andrew Bettencourt.         

I packed my bags and left to play just a week before the first game, having an opportunity to start all 11 games at quarterback as a freshman.

After the season I decided to transfer to Lincoln University of Missouri and join four of my juco teammates so I can have more of a sense of family. Although in the seasons that I played, there was not a lot of winning. I fought it out and earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism.         

Once I had finished college, the window had closed to continue playing and I was heartbroken. Playing through injuries and putting my blood, sweat and tears into the game I love, I left everything on the field. Entering the real world, I put my degree into use by getting a freelance sports journalist job with the Elk Grove Citizen with the help of Ornella Rossi and Paul Scholl of Messenger Publishing Group.              

I was having a great time covering the sporting events that I used to compete in when I was growing up in Elk Grove, having a full-circle moment.                    

That was until Andrew Bettencourt opened that window again for me to continue to play football. But this time I would travel across the world to play in Grenoble, France, for Les Centaures de Grenoble. And just like going to New Mexico, it was on a very short notice.         

My first game will be Saturday, Feb. 28. So far, I am having a great time. It is absolutely beautiful here in Grenoble and my team welcomed me with open arms.         

I am now not just representing Elk Grove or even California, but representing the United States, as there are a very few Americans playing in this league.

I could not be more excited for the opportunity that I have to continue playing, when I thought the window was closed for the rest of my life.

And frankly, I owe everything to Andrew Bettencourt for not giving up on me and my dream.                        

Do not feel discouraged if there is a bump in the road, because that bump may ultimately lead you to your dream becoming a reality.