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Lessons from Legends: Ricky Hunley, Letter to my younger self – Part 1

By Shereen Rayan

Jul 28, 2016; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans walk behind the Pat Bowlen training facility during before the start of camp drills held at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans walk behind the Pat Bowlen training facility during before the start of camp drills held at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Hall of Fame defensive linebacker Ricky Hunley has learned a lot throughout his life from Jr High through his professional career in the NFL. 

Ricky Hunley wanted to take this opportunity to write a ‘Letter to My Younger Self’ to offer wisdom to young athletes and to give insight into his life and how he became the man he is today.

Thi is Part 1 of 3
Your teacup is full (Empty your cup!)

“Empty your cup so that you can receive my tea. The youthfulness in the cup is in the emptiness; you must first empty your cup to taste my tea.” – Chinese Proverb interpreted

Dear Ricky,

I have some regrets in life. I always think, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I only knew then what I know now?’ I wish I could have written this letter to you when you were in junior high school. Since that wasn’t possible, I feel it’s never too late. So, here goes… But first, you must empty your cup to receive my tea.

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Over your lifetime, you will have all these amazing people around you. You missed out on some life changing opportunities to leverage their tea. It’s the life lessons that are important. So listen clearly to what I have to say, empty your little head of everything you think you know, because, in reality, you don’t know what you don’t know.

I will share seven lessons with you, lessons of great value you can use for a lifetime.

Lesson No. 1

Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough we must do.

-Bruce Lee

This meaningful quote by The Master Bruce Lee will be valuable to keep in mind as you face life’s challenges and continue on your journey.

Your teammates, they don’t know you are playing below your maximum, but you opt out on that extra work that would’ve been the difference between good and great.  Mom always said says, “What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger.”

The hard work it takes to be the best at anything will be a great opportunity disguised as work.

The hard work it takes to be the best at anything will be a great opportunity disguised as work. You will get caught up in everyone telling you how great you are. Your minimum effort will far exceed your friends and a lot of your competitor’s effort level.  Don’t get comfortable being a minimum effort guy; that will be far below your capabilities.

“Attack!” Be relentless! Don’t lose that “Broke and Hungry” feeling that drives you. The Little boy in you from Petersburg, Va. will become a proud man in your future. Use that feeling as motivation to be a cut above in everything you do. NO EXCEPTIONS! NO EXCUSES! Don’t give in to the temptation being cool with average. Don’t accept anything less than your best.

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