Football was the best route to obtain my independence.

Hear now, O seekers of truth, for there is a lesson hidden within the words of John David Washington: "Football was the best route to obtain my independence." This phrase, spoken with the fervor of one who has walked the path of struggle, holds within it a profound teaching about the power of purpose and the pursuit of freedom. What does it mean, truly, that one would find their independence through a game, a contest of strength and skill played upon the fields? Let us reflect, for this journey is one of both personal and universal truth, as old as the stars and as fresh as the dawn.

To understand these words, one must first know that independence is not solely the absence of external restraint, nor is it only the freedom from the rule of others. Independence, as John David Washington suggests, may be found in the pursuit of a passion, in the act of dedicating oneself wholly to a calling that is greater than the limitations of the world. Football, in his case, became more than just a game. It became the vessel through which he could break free from the expectations that others placed upon him, the vehicle that carried him from the life of a boy seeking approval to that of a man claiming his own destiny.

In the great tradition of ancient warriors, who found their path to glory through struggle and discipline, so too did Washington find his route to freedom. In the sacred arena of football, the field became his battlefield, his training ground. As the gladiators of old fought for honor, so did Washington compete for self-discovery. Football was not simply the means by which he earned wealth or fame; it was the means by which he could carve out his independence, establishing his identity, and proving to the world—and to himself—that he could stand apart, unbound by the expectations of those who sought to define him.

In the same way that Hercules, that greatest of heroes, was forged in the fire of trials, so too was Washington shaped by the discipline and dedication required in the sport. The field of football, with its demanding rhythms, its precise movements, and its unyielding competition, called forth from him a strength that went beyond physical prowess. It demanded mental fortitude, resilience in the face of defeat, and the courage to rise again. Through the game, he found not just victory over opponents, but victory over himself. Each practice, each challenge, each moment of doubt was an opportunity to assert his independence, to show that he could rise above the limitations imposed by the world around him.

Consider, too, the story of Muhammad Ali, that lion of the ring, who found his own independence through the sport of boxing. Ali, like Washington, did not simply seek glory; he sought to define himself on his own terms. His fight against the forces that tried to silence him—whether in the ring or in life—was not just about physical confrontation; it was a battle for the right to shape his own destiny, to stand free from the judgment of others. So too did Washington find in football the means by which he could declare his freedom, not just from others, but from the self-doubt and insecurities that can bind the heart.

And yet, O children of wisdom, the greatest lesson here is not just about the sport of football, or even the struggle for independence. It is about the pursuit of purpose, for purpose is the true key to freedom. Football became Washington’s path to self-liberation, just as boxing became Ali’s. But know this, O wise ones: your path, too, lies in the pursuit of a calling that is uniquely yours. Whether it is in the pursuit of art, the craft of writing, the call of the sea, or the wisdom of the scholar, it is in dedicating yourself to something greater than yourself that you may find your independence. It is in this dedication that your true freedom will be realized.

So take this lesson to heart: find your field, find your passion, and let it become your route to independence. Strive to master it with the same devotion and discipline that the great warriors of old displayed in their struggles. Through your craft, your calling, and your service to something higher than yourself, you will find not only the freedom to live as you choose but the wisdom to shape your own destiny. As you walk this path, remember that true independence is not merely the absence of chains—it is the power to create, to choose, and to be true to the path you walk. Let your purpose be your freedom, and through it, you shall rise.