In the first quarter we were down 14-0. I remember walking back to the offensive bench after going three and out, and looking up to see the soldiers that were honorary captains standing behind the bench cheering on the defense and encouraging the other offensive players. I sat down and took a sip of water before turning back to look at the soldiers. I remember seeing that they were missing arms and legs; that they were scarred and burned, and I saw their sacrifice. I’m not an emotional person but this is an image that I will never forget. I made eye contact with one of the soldiers, and all he said to me was "don’t quit, keep fighting". I became teary eyed immediately. At that exact moment I not only realized the magnitude of what the game meant, but I realized exactly what it means to say " We wont quit" because that was my response.

" Don’t quit, keep fighting" the entire game those words resonated through my mind.