Horned Frogs First Person: Chase Curtis
9/13/2023 12:54:00 PM | Football
TCU tight end, and former JC shortstop, grateful for his dad's support
(as told to Lily Margaret Greenway)
The number one thing I've learned playing football is that it is never about you. When you're working alongside 11 guys on the field, you quickly realize that if one doesn't do his job, the play won't work. It's a team game, and whatever your role is, that's where you have to give your best. I know I might not have the greatest skill set, or that the opponent across from me might be a better player, but one thing I can control is my effort. The ball tends to fall your way when you give it everything you got.
My work ethic is my greatest strength. I had a high school basketball coach who shaped that. I really admire him because he never took the easy way out, always showed up ready to work, gave his all every day and never complained. Anyone can complain, but not everyone can come up with the answers. I think that kind of mental toughness is what sets people apart, especially in football. This team plays hard, and we're not scared to put our noses into the game because we know how lucky we are to play it. We all work hard to put on this helmet. For me, my uniform honors my family, team, coaches and the people who sacrificed for me to be here. I want to represent them well.
My dad has been there for me the whole way around. When I'm not on the field, I'm pretty much always outdoors with him, hunting or fishing on the river. Right out of high school, I started as a shortstop for a junior college. I thought I never wanted to stop playing baseball, but after COVID hit, I made the decision to dedicate myself to football. TCU offered me the opportunity to walk on as a quarterback. When I chose to be a walk-on, my dad didn't flinch. He 100% believed in me, even as I moved from quarterback, to receiver, to tight end. I'm so grateful for that support. Everything my dad has done for me is my "why" to give my all on the field. No matter the outcome of a game, I know I've got people to go home to who love me.
I can't even think about where I would be right now if I wasn't playing football. Life would be a lot less interesting, and I probably wouldn't be playing sports at all, so I value every day I get to be here. I work to be a guy on the team who others can look up to and see as a leader.
After four years, what makes me proudest is that I know my teammates respect me for who I am and the way I play. Respect is earned, and I don't take it for granted. I don't take anything for granted, and I don't live with any regrets. I know I only have one shot to play college football, and if I could do it all over, I wouldn't change a thing.
The number one thing I've learned playing football is that it is never about you. When you're working alongside 11 guys on the field, you quickly realize that if one doesn't do his job, the play won't work. It's a team game, and whatever your role is, that's where you have to give your best. I know I might not have the greatest skill set, or that the opponent across from me might be a better player, but one thing I can control is my effort. The ball tends to fall your way when you give it everything you got.
My work ethic is my greatest strength. I had a high school basketball coach who shaped that. I really admire him because he never took the easy way out, always showed up ready to work, gave his all every day and never complained. Anyone can complain, but not everyone can come up with the answers. I think that kind of mental toughness is what sets people apart, especially in football. This team plays hard, and we're not scared to put our noses into the game because we know how lucky we are to play it. We all work hard to put on this helmet. For me, my uniform honors my family, team, coaches and the people who sacrificed for me to be here. I want to represent them well.
My dad has been there for me the whole way around. When I'm not on the field, I'm pretty much always outdoors with him, hunting or fishing on the river. Right out of high school, I started as a shortstop for a junior college. I thought I never wanted to stop playing baseball, but after COVID hit, I made the decision to dedicate myself to football. TCU offered me the opportunity to walk on as a quarterback. When I chose to be a walk-on, my dad didn't flinch. He 100% believed in me, even as I moved from quarterback, to receiver, to tight end. I'm so grateful for that support. Everything my dad has done for me is my "why" to give my all on the field. No matter the outcome of a game, I know I've got people to go home to who love me.
I can't even think about where I would be right now if I wasn't playing football. Life would be a lot less interesting, and I probably wouldn't be playing sports at all, so I value every day I get to be here. I work to be a guy on the team who others can look up to and see as a leader.
After four years, what makes me proudest is that I know my teammates respect me for who I am and the way I play. Respect is earned, and I don't take it for granted. I don't take anything for granted, and I don't live with any regrets. I know I only have one shot to play college football, and if I could do it all over, I wouldn't change a thing.
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