Overcoming Fumbling

Throughout my career I was plagued by fumbles. Athleticism was able to carry me through High School but soon after graduation I realized it takes a lot more than athleticism to make it. I moved on to play Division 1 football at the United States Naval Academy and I quickly realized that the higher the level of competition, the more athleticism is nullified.  I also realized that I would not play very much if I couldn’t hold on to the football and it all boiled down to this: if a coach can’t trust you, then you’re not going to play.  No levels of competition are immune to this statement, and no athlete at any level deserves to put in so much hard work, only to have the moments that define a great career taken from him.  Even in the NFL, some of the most talented running backs have struggled with fumbling and had their playing time questioned in critical points of the game. While playing in Navy’s triple option offense, I was capable of making big plays from the fullback position.  I lettered 3 years and started all of my junior season, but ultimately fumbles would be my Achilles heel.  Everyone would offer his or her own forms of encouragement and suggestions but simply put, I was told to hold on tighter to the football.  (Obviously… like that had not already crossed my mind!) When that did not work, I was told that it was a mental issue.  It was a helpless feeling to believe that a mental hurdle stood in my way.  Plus, every athlete knows that when the ball is snapped, instincts take over there is no time to think about fumbling. That is why I was convinced that there must be something that could help me become physically better at holding on to the football.  I started thinking about different ideas that would help me through my situation and to get me back on the field.  It had to be something different that my coaches and I had not already tried. This is what led me to the idea of the Fumble Pro.  Unfortunately, I was not able to take advantage of it and my 16-year football career ended on a fumble in a bowl game against Boston College; however, I would tell you now that I have finally overcome fumbling.  I was able to take one of the biggest negatives in my life and turn into something that I could use to help others.  I learned that as we encounter adversity, we must recognize that there is a greater purpose and use that fuel to overcome the hurdles that stand in our way.

-Matt Hall, CEO