My Road to the NFL: by Benny Cunningham

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Medium-sized Lebowski
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
35,576
Name
The Dude
benny_cunningham1.jpg


My NFL experience has been a roller coaster to say the least. My senior year of college I ranked in the top ten in the nation in both rushing yards and touchdowns. But the hype soon came to an end with a season ending knee injury mid way through the season forcing me to think about a life outside of football. The night of my injury I received a call from Phillip Tanner whom I consider a brother/mentor. He helped me to stay focused on my dreams and gave me advice because he had suffered a knee injury as well but still earned the opportunity to play in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.

Once I had my surgery I started my road to recovery with the NFL on my mind and I knew it would be challenging to even earn a chance. So I did everything possible to give myself an opportunity to prove to the scouts that I could still play. My days started at 7am and ended at 5pm with me putting all my time into my recovery. Draft day came and my name wasn't called... at first I felt like my long days were a waste, until I received a call from the St Louis Rams later that day wanting to sign me as an undrafted free agent. I felt that this opportunity was a blessing from God and all I needed to prove to the world is that my knee was fine and that I could play at this level.

The first meeting with the team came and seeing so many undrafted players in the room and knowing that the number of spots were limited made every day nerve wrecking. I had to do everything right and try to separate myself from the group. As the group decreased my nerves along with the pressure increased. The day came that the 53 was announced and I had made it, but I didn't get the rush of joy I thought I would because I knew that now I would have to fight to keep my spot.

The season started and with each game I grew more confident that I could play at this level. But once again I am faced with an obstacle. Against the Houston Texans I suffered a high ankle sprain and I am forced to prove once again that an injury cannot keep me from achieving my goal!

http://thestudentofthegame.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-road-to-nfl-by-benny-cunningham_31.html?m=1
 

Pancake

Hall of Fame
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
2,204
Name
Ernie
I hope he gets a chance to play a little more. I like guys with stories like this.