NFL wife- The ups and downs of this life

Sadly another football season has come to an end. We were hoping for a playoff push but I truly believe everything happens for a reason and God puts you in certain situations for a reason. I obviously wanted Adam and the team to go all the way but it’s also a blessing that he is done and will be home more, especially with baby #2 due any day. Hopefully next year is the Vikings year to make it to the “ship”!

I thought I’d share some of my thoughts and experiences as a wife of a Professional athlete. I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile and honestly there’s so much I could share that I’ll probably forget but at least it’s a start. Now I didn’t write this post for anyone to feel bad for me or our family. We honestly have a great life, with ups and downs just like any other family. It is such a unique life that we get to live for now and that is why it’s fun to share my perspective with you all. I have a forgiving God who loves me, a husband who loves me, a beautiful son (and one more about to join us). I have nothing to complain about…I just want to be real and open about this life with others..that’s why I stated this blog I the first place. Now if your husband is in the army, military, or just works/ travels a lot, I give you props because it’s not easy. It’s not easy having a million things to take care of and different things thrown at you. People don’t always think about the significant other a lot of times in this profession. How hard it can be to juggle everything. At home you have to be the caretaker, cook, nurse, mother, cleaner, and emotionally supporter.

Money, glitz, glam, and fame. These are just a few thoughts people might think about when they think about being married to an NFL player or any professional athlete. What comes to my mind is many positive things but also sacrifice, injuries, limelight, social media threats, and more. Seeing death threats or nasty comments on social media is one of the hardest things for me. I want to snap back at everything I read or anything someone tweets at me or Adam….I know, it’s not worth it and these people don’t actually know me or my family. But when someone is threatening your family..over a (fricken football game), then they pushed it too far. Let me also say that when everything’s going good…the team is winning, your husband is playing good, then everything’s grand. But…if the season isn’t going well or your significant other is not performing well then your going to hear about it...like all over social media. Adam is only human..he makes mistakes, but he is a heck of a football player, very talented, and the hardest worker I know. Not only that but most importantly he is a faithful, God loving man who is the best husband and father a girl could wish for. I hope our son’s grow up to be like him because he truly is an amazing person and role model. I can totally understand why many players and spouses don’t have social media for that reason alone. Some days I want to delete everything of mine as well, but the other half of me feels that God gave us this life and this platform to be open and share some of our unique life with others and to try and spread light/ positivity in a sometimes very negative world.

Social media can be tough but also just the grind of a season mentally and physically. It’s hard to always be that support for your husband while your trying to do a million other things as well. This season was especially hard for me, being pregnant and tired a lot but still needing to have that pep in my step when my husband comes home from a long, draining day or a tough game. I try and be there best as I can for Adam..for instance after games when he wants to vent or watch film when I don’t want to talk football. I try and be there for him when he’s strained this or that muscle, or fractured this or that …but still plays through the pain. Injury. That one word freaks me out most when it comes to Adam’s career. It’s so fricken awesome watching him play on Sunday’s and living out his dream, but the anxiety I get before watching him play is a real thing. I want him to grow old with me and be there mentally and physically when we are both 60 and have (God willing) grandkids to chase after. All I can do is give my worries up to God before every game and ask him to put his armor around my husband and the team to keep them safe. Win’s are awesome, but Adam coming out of a game healthy, with minimal injuries is a win in my book.

With Adam’s profession has also come many amazing things. We have gotten to go to some pretty cool events over the years- we’ve gone to different cities for Super Bowl events, the Pro Bowl, met some famous people, the NFL honors awards show, and more. But my favorite thing about Adam playing in the NFL would be the people we have met and the friends we have made over the years. As a wife or significant other of a player it can be hard to “fit” in or find friends on teams, especially if your significant other is bouncing from team to team every year (which is pretty common in the NFL). I can’t imagine doing that like a lot of women do, and Adam and I have been so unbelievably blessed to still be in Minnesota with our kids, house, and family here to help out.

Seeing your husband/boyfriend live out their dream of making it to the NFL and actually contributing is so surreal and makes this crazy life worth it. A lot of times I really need to stop myself and think about it and how awesome and special it is, especialy coming from where Adam did to where he is now (pretty sure has never happened in the NFL).

I am so so thankful for this life God has given me and us.…did I ever think that Adam who I met and fell in love with in college would become a professional athlete? Heck no! But I truly am thankful for all of the ups and downs of this rollercoaster life. This time period of him playing in the NFL will only last so long and soon enough our family will have plenty more time to be together and make many more memories off the field. I look forward to the day where we can show our sons picture’s of them with their dad in his Vikings jersey and tell them all kinds of cool stories that got to experience. I thank you all for the amazing support of Adam and our family through this football season and the different seasons of our life.. I couldn’t be more proud of my husband and how hard he’s worked up the ladder to get to where he is. He nor I am perfect and I am thankful you all allow me to be open and real about our life and this journey we are on. Cheers to a great 2018 season and now some much needed family time this off season. I would love some prayers for our family as we will soon be transitioning to a family of four very soon, thanks!:)

xoxo,

MRS T