Cal Taylor is our match at the University of Maryland for the football program and he has been with us for the past three years. Cal has gone from a stranger my freshman year, to someone I consider a little brother and have developed a real relationship with. Cal showed not only me but our team, that no matter how hard your life can seem, there is always a light within a smile. Anytime you see Cal, whether it is at a banquet, practice, or just in the locker room, he always has a smile on his face that is contagious in our building. Your day gets better when someone like Cal walks in, and we are so blessed to be able to play the game that we do and create smiles like Cal’s. He also shows our team on a daily basis that we have to push and keep going. There are times within a season that are trying and having a perspective like this by having Cal around gives you an extra gear to go the extra mile. Knowing Cal has to go through treatment constantly and yet he still is doing everything he can to support us is motivation to return that support by handling our business on the field.
I believe that any student athlete that has the opportunity to join Team IMPACT should. There is a true spark that is gained from being around this organization that allows teams to come together and play for something bigger than themselves. This, as Coach Q from Kansas Men’s Basketball testifies to, is the difference between a great and championship caliber season. This is one of the most natural ways that I can use my platform as an athlete to give back to the community and make my own impact in my community.
