My Story: San Diego State Signee Nassir Sims

Note from Sports360AZ CEO Brad Cesmat:Wednesday is College Football National Letter of Intent Day. We asked Desert Edge defensive lineman Nassir Sims, who’s signing with San Diego State, to share his high school experiences on and off the field, as well as why SDSU was the best fit for him to continue his academic and athletic career.

Growing up the game of football never really crossed my mind. Actually, I didn’t really start playing the sport until the eighth grade and even back then I never took it serious. It wasn’t until I got to high school when everything started clicking for me. I realized that football was much much more than a game. It was a way of life. It’s a release from all the hardships that young men like me go through on a daily basis.

With that being said, growing up I struggled a lot with depression and social anxiety. Both symptoms made me get inside my head and sometimes I felt like I wasn’t important. Often times I’d feel hollow. However, that all changed every time I’d step on that field. Every time I strapped on the pads and helmet I became a whole new person.

My teammates and peers looked up to me and showed me unconditional love and support. I developed a bond stronger than any I’d anticipate with people who weren’t even my family. I had a motivation and a will to fight for those who stood beside me because they believed I could achieve greatness when I myself felt that I was only a  mere player.

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1)Be Goal oriented
2)Put forth the effort
3)Give everything you do your all
4)High grades
5)TURN SOME HEADS
All fall18??

— Nassir sims (@Nassir_sims) July 27, 2018

Honestly, if you’d ask me three years ago and told me my life would end up like it is now I’d call you crazy. It’s because of high school football that I’ve made a name for myself and been shaped into the young man that my mother is proud of to this day.

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S/O Desert Edge, NT @Nassir_sims. You played a hellofa’ game last night against Peoria. Nearly unblockable! #causedhavoc #followupperformance ???????

— Eric “CoachE” Muhammad (@MaxPCoachE) September 22, 2018

However, I can’t give football or myself all the glory because God put me in this position to be somebody. All praise be to the most high. When I step off the field hundreds of people who I don’t even know congratulate me and my team’s accomplishments. I had a whole community that looked at me and wanted me to represent them well and with a weight like that on my shoulders, I didn’t want to let anyone down. These people looked at me like the city of Manhattan looked to Spider-Man. I was their hero. Young guns idolized me and parents cheered and screamed my name. It filled my heart and soul with joy to know that I am worthy that I can go beyond the expectation.

Through the past four years the game has become my passion and something that is a part of my life. But like my mother always tells me, ‘YOU use this game, don’t let this game use YOU.’

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HUGE COMMITMENT! Aztecs land one of the region’s top DTs in 3⭐️ @Nassir_sims !!

Aztec fans, who’s excited to see Nassir in the ?⚫️?!#GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/Ywjm2Uj8V4

— Aztecs Recruiting (@AztecRecruits) December 17, 2018

With that in my mind I made my choice on attending San Diego State University because I feel they have the tools to push me to be even more than I already am.