AI Answer
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It's completely understandable that it was a challenging and difficult experience for you, especially during your first year at UCLA. Overcoming such adversity can be tough, but it's clear that you've developed a resilient mindset and a strong dedication to your sport. Taking steps to train your mind and stay focused on your recovery will be crucial as you continue to work towards getting back on your feet. Stick with it, and remember that it's okay to feel the emotions that come with facing such a setback. Keep pushing forward, and I hope you make a full recovery soon.

Ezavier Staples | UCLA Football

So understanding that it's a process like you're gonna have challenges at all points of your career . Um But recently some challenges that I've had to overcome is my first year , my first year being here for at UCLA , I actually got hurt in a car accident and um unfort very unfortunate , obviously , adversity is adversity , but like that hitting me like it was just , this is my first year of playing football . Um now , um , um , I haven't had any experience .

Ezavier Staples | UCLA Football

I've only been able to do spring ball and that's it . And , uh , obviously that took a toll on like me because me being hurt , I can't do the thing that I love . I can't do , I can't provide the way I wanna provide for my family , you know , so breaking my leg actually put me into like a , a state to where like I just wanted to be closed off from everybody , didn't wanna be close .

Ezavier Staples | UCLA Football

And , uh , obviously that took a toll on like me because me being hurt , I can't do the thing that I love . I can't do , I can't provide the way I wanna provide for my family , you know , so breaking my leg actually put me into like a , a state to where like I just wanted to be closed off from everybody , didn't wanna be close . Um Didn't want to leave the house .

Ezavier Staples | UCLA Football

Um So just from that , from all that I took me coming back more personal . So the challenge that challenge brought me the chance to bring to come back to football and be and take it more personal . Take more like , well , this is something I'm given every day .

Ezavier Staples | UCLA Football

And as you keep doing that , the process becomes easier and easier , you become more fluent in what you're doing because you , your intent is always there , your mind is on what you're doing . So , um to put me at an advantage during my practices . I like to focus .