A Letter To JaMarcus Russell From a Raider Fan

This article is far different than any of my other articles I have written before. I tried not to include myself in any of my articles, so I apologize for doing so this time.

As a Raider fan I want JaMarcus Russell to succeed because it would finally give us stability in a position that we have lacked for many years. I want him to succeed because I know if he reaches his potential he is capable of doing big things with his talent.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons I want him to succeed is because I can relate to him. Not only because we are the same age, but because we both possess a lot of talent and potential in our own respective careers.

I started at 21 but was too young to appreciate what it really meant. I went through two different "Coaches" and it took me time to adjust to each ones "game plan". I lost an important motherly figure in my life and it took me away from my "game" because it was my first loss like that.

While I wish everything would have clicked for me back then, I am somewhat grateful it didn't. The failures I went through and criticism I received made me stronger and I learned from my mistakes.

Today I am in a far better position than I was before, I am surrounded by better talent and my limitations are few.

I wrote a poem this morning to tell my story, and I know it can help and motivate others. Will Russell ever read it? I don't know, but I hope somebody does.

My Story

I’ve spent my whole life listening to people tell me what I could and couldn’t do,

People were setting my limitations for me, setting up road blocks I wouldn’t get through

Judged because I prayed different, I talked different and I didn’t look the same.

Had I bought into all the negativity, I would only have myself to blame.

To those that set the bar for me and set my expectations so low

Thank you. You fueled my motivation to see how high and far I could go.

Though I didn’t need you to succeed, it makes it very worth while

There is nothing like seeing you upset, every time you see me smile

To those who believed in me, I assure you that you will not be let down

My rise will continue to the top, you will rarely see me frown.

My confidence comes from within, but your support fuels my fire

Like Drake says, I just wanna be successful and I know I got the desire

The day I realized that the only person who could stop me was me

Is the day I stopped making excuses and started finding out how great I could be.

I’ll continue to work hard, and continue to strive for the highest ranks

Whether you hate me or love me, I just wanted to tell you, thanks.

By Elias Trejo

Thank you.

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