University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Adversity Makes Us Stronger
11/15/2018 9:00:00 AM | Football
Last Saturday was emotional.
Knowing it was Senior Day, my final home game at Heinz Field as a Pitt Panther, I woke up wanting to remember every single moment. From ironing my suit in the morning to the pre-game meal to putting on my pads, I focused on cherishing everything.
Running out of the tunnel and greeting my parents and sister was amazing. And I knew my brother was with me as well, both in my heart and on my jersey with the number 30 that I wear to honor him.
In that moment, so many memories rushed back to me.
My breakout season as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Our incredible victories as a team during my sophomore campaign. The ups and downs of last season. And everything we've had to overcome this year to achieve the success we've had in recent weeks.
And you know what? I wouldn't trade any of those memories for the world.
Because if there's anything I've learned over my last five years at the University of Pittsburgh, it's that adversity is what truly strengthens a man.
Just look at this season. We certainly didn't start how we wanted. After the Penn State game, I was so disappointed that it was tough for me to walk around campus with my head up. Following our losses to North Carolina and UCF… well, let's just say it wasn't fun.
And even after an amazing comeback win in overtime against a really strong Syracuse team, our star middle linebacker – and team captain – Quintin Wirginis went down the next week in practice, out for the season with an injury.
But we didn't flinch. Not once this season. Not after losses. Not after injuries.
We never gave up our belief that this team could rally to accomplish something special.
Because iron sharpens iron. Adversity makes us stronger.
Trust me, it wasn't easy losing my brother last year. As much as I wanted to help the team win, it wasn't easy embracing my new role the last two seasons after rushing for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. And it wasn't easy dealing with those numerous challenges that we faced earlier this year.
But I'm a better man – and we're a better team – because of those experiences.
I've learned that there's always another day, another game, another opportunity to improve and make things better in the future. It's a blessing to wake up every day. So I try to embrace each moment.
That's why last Saturday was extra special for me. I'll definitely remember that game more than most.
Before I went out of the field before the final drive, I joked with Darrin Hall – that's my brother for life – that I wanted to take one all the way on the first play and break his school record for longest run.
Moments later, as I was running down the sideline, I remembered a similar play in the Penn State game where a defender caught me from behind and pushed me out of bounds. I told myself that there was no way I would allow that to happen again. Not this time.
In that moment, everything went silent.
I was in a zone unlike anything I've experienced before. All I was concentrating on was making sure that nobody would stop me from reaching that end zone. Nobody.
Once I scored, all of my senses rushed back to me. The fans cheering. The band playing the fight song. My teammates jumping around like crazy.
I get chills just thinking about it now. THAT was my final offensive play for Pitt at Heinz Field.
You'd think it couldn't get any better, right?
Well, you'd be wrong.
Because we still have so much to play for, beginning this Saturday at Wake Forest.
Everything this team has talked about is still ahead of us. All of our goals are still attainable.
After securing bowl eligibility with that win last Saturday, I know I'll have at least three more opportunities to compete with my brothers, the guys on this team that I love.
There will never be another 2018 Pitt Football team. Think about that.
After this season ends, there will never be another team with George Aston and Darrin Hall and Alex Bookser and Dennis Briggs and all of the other dudes in this group wearing the blue and gold and that beautiful Pitt script on the helmet on Saturdays. For this squad, this is it.
Enjoy the ride with us. I know I'll be taking in every moment, wanting to remember every second that I have left with these guys and these seniors.
So let's do it. Together. Starting by going 1-0 this week.
Hail to Pitt. Forever.
Qadree Ollison, #30
Knowing it was Senior Day, my final home game at Heinz Field as a Pitt Panther, I woke up wanting to remember every single moment. From ironing my suit in the morning to the pre-game meal to putting on my pads, I focused on cherishing everything.
Running out of the tunnel and greeting my parents and sister was amazing. And I knew my brother was with me as well, both in my heart and on my jersey with the number 30 that I wear to honor him.
In that moment, so many memories rushed back to me.
My breakout season as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Our incredible victories as a team during my sophomore campaign. The ups and downs of last season. And everything we've had to overcome this year to achieve the success we've had in recent weeks.
And you know what? I wouldn't trade any of those memories for the world.
Because if there's anything I've learned over my last five years at the University of Pittsburgh, it's that adversity is what truly strengthens a man.
Just look at this season. We certainly didn't start how we wanted. After the Penn State game, I was so disappointed that it was tough for me to walk around campus with my head up. Following our losses to North Carolina and UCF… well, let's just say it wasn't fun.
And even after an amazing comeback win in overtime against a really strong Syracuse team, our star middle linebacker – and team captain – Quintin Wirginis went down the next week in practice, out for the season with an injury.
But we didn't flinch. Not once this season. Not after losses. Not after injuries.
We never gave up our belief that this team could rally to accomplish something special.
Because iron sharpens iron. Adversity makes us stronger.
Trust me, it wasn't easy losing my brother last year. As much as I wanted to help the team win, it wasn't easy embracing my new role the last two seasons after rushing for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. And it wasn't easy dealing with those numerous challenges that we faced earlier this year.
But I'm a better man – and we're a better team – because of those experiences.
I've learned that there's always another day, another game, another opportunity to improve and make things better in the future. It's a blessing to wake up every day. So I try to embrace each moment.
That's why last Saturday was extra special for me. I'll definitely remember that game more than most.
Before I went out of the field before the final drive, I joked with Darrin Hall – that's my brother for life – that I wanted to take one all the way on the first play and break his school record for longest run.
Moments later, as I was running down the sideline, I remembered a similar play in the Penn State game where a defender caught me from behind and pushed me out of bounds. I told myself that there was no way I would allow that to happen again. Not this time.
In that moment, everything went silent.
I was in a zone unlike anything I've experienced before. All I was concentrating on was making sure that nobody would stop me from reaching that end zone. Nobody.
Once I scored, all of my senses rushed back to me. The fans cheering. The band playing the fight song. My teammates jumping around like crazy.
I get chills just thinking about it now. THAT was my final offensive play for Pitt at Heinz Field.
You'd think it couldn't get any better, right?
Well, you'd be wrong.
Because we still have so much to play for, beginning this Saturday at Wake Forest.
Everything this team has talked about is still ahead of us. All of our goals are still attainable.
After securing bowl eligibility with that win last Saturday, I know I'll have at least three more opportunities to compete with my brothers, the guys on this team that I love.
There will never be another 2018 Pitt Football team. Think about that.
After this season ends, there will never be another team with George Aston and Darrin Hall and Alex Bookser and Dennis Briggs and all of the other dudes in this group wearing the blue and gold and that beautiful Pitt script on the helmet on Saturdays. For this squad, this is it.
Enjoy the ride with us. I know I'll be taking in every moment, wanting to remember every second that I have left with these guys and these seniors.
So let's do it. Together. Starting by going 1-0 this week.
Hail to Pitt. Forever.
Qadree Ollison, #30
Players Mentioned
FB
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OL
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DB
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RB
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RB
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LB
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