By Gregory Gabler
American football season pretty much sets my schedule every fall. Saturdays are for college football, Sundays are for the NFL, and Thursday and Monday night games keep me tuned in during the week too. For a long time, I mostly watched for the big plays, the comebacks, and the games that come down to the last drive. The more I watched, though, the more I started noticing everything that happens before each play even starts. A lot of the game is won in those little details.
Every play starts long before it begins
A play on TV lasts a few seconds. Behind those few seconds are hours of film, practice reps, and game planning. Coaches spend all week studying opponents and looking for tendencies they can use. Players learn their assignments until they can run them without thinking. By the time Saturday or Sunday rolls around, most of the work is already done.
The idea that preparation is built day by day has stuck with me, especially as a student at Palm Beach State. I've learned that keeping up with readings and notes all semester makes exams a lot less stressful than cramming the night before. Law school is the long-term goal for me, and I know getting there takes a lot of reps too.
Everyone has a job
Nobody wins a football game on their own. You can have the best quarterback in the league, and the play still falls apart if the line breaks down or a receiver runs the wrong route. Everyone on the field has a job, and the whole thing works only when they trust each other to do it.
I see the same thing at work. I work in recruiting, helping connect candidates with job opportunities, and a good placement depends on a lot of people being on the same page. Clear communication and following through on what you said you'd do make a huge difference. Football just made that easy for me to picture.
Thinking a few moves ahead
Some people think football is just big guys running into each other. There's a ton of strategy going on, from play calls to halftime adjustments to deciding when to go for it on fourth down. The best coaches are always a couple steps ahead, and they're quick to change things up when the plan isn't working.
Strategic thinking is a big part of why I'm interested in law, especially criminal justice. I've always been curious about how laws are written, interpreted, and applied. Making sense of all that takes a lot of analysis and strategy too. You must know the rules, read the situation, and figure out the best approach.
Showing up every week
A football season is long. Teams deal with injuries, losing streaks, and weeks where nothing goes right. The ones that finish strong are usually the ones that keep putting in the work and stay consistent all the way through.
I try to bring that into my own routine, especially with fitness. I train regularly, and there are definitely days I don't feel like it. But, I go anyway, because consistency is what builds results over time. School, work, and the gym all reward that same kind of discipline.
Why I keep watching
At the end of the day, I love football because it's fun. The energy of a big game, the rivalries, and the moments nobody sees coming keep me coming back every week. Along the way, it's also taught me a lot about preparation, teamwork, strategy, and sticking with things when they get tough.
I'm taking those lessons with me into school, work, and whatever comes next on the road to law school. In the meantime, you’ll find me on the couch every Saturday and Sunday this fall, plus most Thursday and Monday nights.
About Gregory Gabler
Gregory Gabler is a student at Palm Beach State College in South Florida, where he is building a strong academic foundation as he prepares to pursue a career in law. He works in recruiting alongside school, and plans to attend law school after completing his undergraduate studies. He writes about football, fitness, sports, and education, sharing how his passions shape his approach to school, work, and his future goals.
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