Blog

To say that I was overwhelmed by the swamp of text messages and mentions on Twitter would be an understatement. Before the game was even over, my phone literally would not stop buzzing, to the point where I just had to turn it off.

So I wanted to respond to everyone, and I decided a blog here would probably be the best way to do that.

In my opinion, there are three things that define someone’s life: spirituality, family and career. It’s amazing the amount of time we spend in our lives dedicated to our career. It’s almost like you work to live and live to work.

There’s a huge distinction between athletes and other people who are just as dedicated to their profession. People always wonder how someone could put their body through so much torture, and really, it defines you.

Steve Jobs and the Zuckermans of the world can all relate to doing more than what’s expected, or doing what the common person wouldn’t do, to be successful. Those types of people never look back, they just look forward. There’s no plateau for them. Simply put, it’s the difference between good and great.

One of my favorite quotes is from Martin Luther King, who said, “A man is not fit to live if he hasn’t found something that he’ll die for.” Obviously, it’s not on the same scale, but I think everyone should have something in their life that is vital to them.

If I had to do it all over again, and go into that game with my Achilles injury, I would. Because football defines who I am. Sometimes you have to do something that you’ve never done to get something you’ve never had. The motivating factor is simple for me. To win, and not fear failure.

These setbacks and obstacles are all a part of it. Nothing worth attaining comes easy, and I know that. I’m convinced I did everything in my power to play the game I love. That’s why today I can’t say I’m mad or upset, because I went at it with everything I had just to contribute for the team.

A lot of people say, hey, he rushed back too soon. But actually, I didn’t. I told my teammates and myself that I would only play if I could help the team. I felt ready to do that. Myself and the Panthers’ medical staff were convinced that I was healthy enough to play in the opener versus the Cardinals.

To have something so important taken away from you is a tough pill to swallow. But all I can do now is focus on the future, have the surgery, rehab and come back with a vengeance. That’s my goal and that’s all I have to hang my hat on now.

The goal will never change. I’m still focused on winning a Super Bowl, being the best player I can be and leaving my mark on the game as a guy who never quit.

Though I will be out of sight and out of mind for a long time, know that I’m working extremely hard to not just be back, but to come back better than ever.

I just want to thank the fans for their support and ask that you continue to stand by the Panthers as we build something special here in Charlotte.

Carolina Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason writes a blog for www.playerpress.com at www.jonbeason.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jonbeason.