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Sports Inspiration

"I've learned that confidence is contagious."

Listen to this Commentary!

By Bryan Dumas

I'm Bryan Dumas, a senior at Grady High School, with a commentary from Youth Radio.

Every few years, a professional player in Atlanta comes along who changes the attitude of his team. When time is running out, it is this player the team looks to, to make a crucial play. That player used to be Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks. Then Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves came along. But now Atlanta’s most inspirational player is Mike Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.

Vick believes in himself, and therefore the team believes in him. They rally behind him, winning games they probably couldn't have won in past seasons.

Through watching Mike Vick, I've learned that confidence is contagious. Vick has inspired me to have confidence in myself, allowing me to play better this fall for my high school baseball team.

I stepped up along with two other seniors to lead the team to a 9 and 4 record, and to the playoffs. My father immediately noticed the improvement in my play, and complimented me on reaching my potential. We both knew I had the ability.

Confidence allows people to move away from their passive tendencies to accomplish great things. My advice to anyone who lacks confidence is to find someone or something to inspire you.

That person or thing doesn't have to be an athlete, because not all athletes are good role models. But anyone who helps you feel more confident about yourself will do.

We can all be Mike Vicks, not necessarily on the football field, but at our jobs, on our high school teams, at church, or in any activity. All we need to do is catch a little bit of confidence. It's contagious you know.

I’m Bryan Dumas.

HOST BACK ANNOUNCE: Youth Radio Atlanta is produced in cooperation with Grady High School, WABE, and Youth Radio in Berkeley, California and is funded in part by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.