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Proctor Blog: The Definition of a Teammate
10/18/2015 8:25:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.-- When I googled the definition of “teammate,” it was a very simple definition: a fellow member of a team. There is no definition reading a fellow member of a team who is the biggest supporter to another teammate; there is no definition to define teammate as a fellow member of a team who always has his or her team's back; most of all, there is no definition saying a teammate must be someone's friend. Despite the definition, one of my teammates, Abby Pyne, is all of that and more for me.
Abby and I are both goalkeepers, and yes, we knew from the beginning it was going to be the two of us fighting for one spot. We also knew from the beginning that we would be in the same class, and yes, we knew it could be hard to have a good friendship in that situation.
What we didn't know, was how much we would come to mean to one another, and I especially didn't know what she would come to mean to me.
Abby had a knee surgery our senior year of high school and many doctors doubted she would ever see the field again. Regardless, she rehabbed and she continued to believe that one day, she would suit up in a Duke jersey and prove those doctors wrong. Believe it or not, she did.
I had the opportunity to watch Abby play against Clemson, Fresno State, Weber State, and William & Mary, and it was an incredibly humbling feeling. It is really something special to see a teammate accomplish a dream so many believed would never happen. It's so rewarding to see the countless hours of rehab and uncomfortable knee pain pay off. But, it wasn't only special for that reason; it was special for so many reasons that only I can understand.
Abby has pushed me to be a better goalkeeper more than anyone else ever has throughout our time training together. Even though her knees keep her from playing as much as she would like, she never lets that take away from being an incredible teammate.
Before every game, she gives me a pep talk and makes sure when I step on the field, I believe in myself. When I make a good save, the first thing I hear is her voice congratulating me. When I make a mistake, she is the first one I hear picking me up. If I'm ever losing confidence, she is the first one to build me back up.
Abby goes beyond the definition of teammate, and she does it day in and day out. She is the type of teammate I challenge myself to be more like, and the kind of friend I hope to be to others.
Abs, thank you for being my teammate, my biggest fan, my friend, and of course, the Goose to my Maverick.
Love,
EJ Proctor
Abby and I are both goalkeepers, and yes, we knew from the beginning it was going to be the two of us fighting for one spot. We also knew from the beginning that we would be in the same class, and yes, we knew it could be hard to have a good friendship in that situation.
What we didn't know, was how much we would come to mean to one another, and I especially didn't know what she would come to mean to me.
Abby had a knee surgery our senior year of high school and many doctors doubted she would ever see the field again. Regardless, she rehabbed and she continued to believe that one day, she would suit up in a Duke jersey and prove those doctors wrong. Believe it or not, she did.
I had the opportunity to watch Abby play against Clemson, Fresno State, Weber State, and William & Mary, and it was an incredibly humbling feeling. It is really something special to see a teammate accomplish a dream so many believed would never happen. It's so rewarding to see the countless hours of rehab and uncomfortable knee pain pay off. But, it wasn't only special for that reason; it was special for so many reasons that only I can understand.
Abby has pushed me to be a better goalkeeper more than anyone else ever has throughout our time training together. Even though her knees keep her from playing as much as she would like, she never lets that take away from being an incredible teammate.
Before every game, she gives me a pep talk and makes sure when I step on the field, I believe in myself. When I make a good save, the first thing I hear is her voice congratulating me. When I make a mistake, she is the first one I hear picking me up. If I'm ever losing confidence, she is the first one to build me back up.
Abby goes beyond the definition of teammate, and she does it day in and day out. She is the type of teammate I challenge myself to be more like, and the kind of friend I hope to be to others.
Abs, thank you for being my teammate, my biggest fan, my friend, and of course, the Goose to my Maverick.
Love,
EJ Proctor
Players Mentioned
GK
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