There are countless ways that athletes in particular deal with which is one of the things that make events like the NFL Draft so fascinating from a viewers perspective. It is truly the best and most authentic version of reality television that is out there as it shows in realtime how these elite athletes handle adversity as individuals.
While he certainly had to sit around and wait longer than he would have liked to hear the Kansas City Chiefs put in a draft card with his name on it, former University of Oregon standout linebacker Jeffrey Bassa had the type of approach to ultimately landing in Kansas City that Chiefs fans will absolutely love.
“The draft is – a lot of crazy things happen," Bassa said, via Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. "It really tests your patience, and patience is one of the main things that I live by. Faith, ambition, and patience are the three things that I live by every day."
These are undoubtedly great character traits for any individual to have and they will certainly help Bassa as he makes the transition from the collegiate ranks to the NFL. Much like there is with any new challenge in life, there will be ups and downs for Bassa and every other rookie entering the league this season and it is the manner in which they take on that type of adversity that shows the type of man, and football player, they are.
Even though Bassa is, admittedly, aware of each and every linebacker in this draft class who was selected ahead of him, he is thankful to have landed in a spot as great as Kansas City and is eagerly anticipating getting on the field and beginning to make meaningful contributions to the collective success of this group.
"Just sitting there being patient, but then, as well as for them to say that and (the Chiefs) to be surprised that I am still on the board, them having the trust and belief in me," Bassa explained, via Goldman. "That says a lot about what they think of me. I’m so blessed and grateful that they traded up future picks or whatever picks it was to be able to come and get me. I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization now.”
The value of feeling wanted is something that is hard to replicate and Bassa certainly has that feeling after landing with a franchise like the Chiefs.