University of Northern Iowa Athletics
My Story Matters: Kendall Robinson Jr.
10/27/2020 8:00:00 AM | Football
Waterloo
Where you witness friends with questions, look for answers in places only to be left more confused than ever before.
Where a man or woman will hate or turn on the next person for what he or she likes.
Where the feeling of being down low can lead you to reach out in the wrong direction for help.
Where you must aim too high, or you will aim too low.
Learning these things at an early age really shaped me into who I am today. There was always some type of urge just forcing me to grow up and become mature.Â
I know for sure I didn't have the worst life growing up, but I've witnessed the bad more than the good. From having a single mother working every day to make me feel as if I could have any and everything in the world to having my father in and out of the prison system, really forced me to become more aware of the difficulties in life. Â
Yes, I was born and raised here. Waterloo itself always felt like somewhere I could call home within the neighborhoods I grew up in, but there are multiple areas where I can feel like an outcast. That feeling makes you want to go far away and that's a feeling I've been living with my entire life.Â
I've used it to help me through practices, intense workouts, and personal issues I face. That feeling is one of the main motivators that has helped me become who I am where I am today.Â
There are various different paths my life could've taken, but I've been blessed with a great circle of positive people: family, friends, coaches, and role models to help and support me on the choices I've made in life.
Throughout my ups and downs, I've worked on passing on my blessings to the community, but more specifically, the younger generations. By simply overcoming the negative energy with positive work, we can bring our community together.Â
Our community can come together in good times and bad. Whether we are at sporting events, cookouts and holiday festivals or serving those in need after a disaster, raising money for those who are sick or marching side-by-side in the face of injustice, as we support each other, we will grow together.Â
I will continue to do my part to unite this community and hope this positivity persuades you to follow and make Waterloo better.Â
Â
Where you witness friends with questions, look for answers in places only to be left more confused than ever before.
Where a man or woman will hate or turn on the next person for what he or she likes.
Where the feeling of being down low can lead you to reach out in the wrong direction for help.
Where you must aim too high, or you will aim too low.
Learning these things at an early age really shaped me into who I am today. There was always some type of urge just forcing me to grow up and become mature.Â
I know for sure I didn't have the worst life growing up, but I've witnessed the bad more than the good. From having a single mother working every day to make me feel as if I could have any and everything in the world to having my father in and out of the prison system, really forced me to become more aware of the difficulties in life. Â
Yes, I was born and raised here. Waterloo itself always felt like somewhere I could call home within the neighborhoods I grew up in, but there are multiple areas where I can feel like an outcast. That feeling makes you want to go far away and that's a feeling I've been living with my entire life.Â
I've used it to help me through practices, intense workouts, and personal issues I face. That feeling is one of the main motivators that has helped me become who I am where I am today.Â
There are various different paths my life could've taken, but I've been blessed with a great circle of positive people: family, friends, coaches, and role models to help and support me on the choices I've made in life.
Throughout my ups and downs, I've worked on passing on my blessings to the community, but more specifically, the younger generations. By simply overcoming the negative energy with positive work, we can bring our community together.Â
Our community can come together in good times and bad. Whether we are at sporting events, cookouts and holiday festivals or serving those in need after a disaster, raising money for those who are sick or marching side-by-side in the face of injustice, as we support each other, we will grow together.Â
I will continue to do my part to unite this community and hope this positivity persuades you to follow and make Waterloo better.Â
Â
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