AI Answer
I'm sorry to hear that you got hurt in a car accident. It sounds like it was a really tough time, especially because it happened in your first year at UCLA when you were just starting to play football. Overcoming that kind of adversity is never easy. It's understandable that being unable to pursue the sport you love and provide for your family would be really challenging. I hope that your recovery is going well and that you're making progress toward being able to walk again. It's really inspiring that you've found a way to use this experience to take your football practices more personally and to toughen up both physically and mentally. It's important to take the time you need to heal, both physically and emotionally. Remember that it's okay to feel closed off from others at times, but don't be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. It's also okay to not want to play football in the immediate aftermath of an injury - taking care of yourself and your well-being is the priority. Keep focusing on training your mind and staying strong, and hopefully, you'll be back on the field when the time is right.

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 .