That's how the story of Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett begins, with a high school senior retreating to the basement of his home in Arlington, Texas, to have a good cry alone.
He had just learned that Notre Dame didn't want him after all. The player and his family had been under the impression that the university offered him a scholarship when its running backs coach visited his high school. Then, one week before signing day, Forsett was preparing to travel to the school's campus when he was told the Irish would be signing two bigger running backs, not him. There was no scholarship offer.
And there were no others, either. Despite scoring 63 touchdowns and rushing for 4,925 yards in his last two years of high school, playing on two state championship teams at Grace Prep and winning the MVP award in the Texas All-Star Game, Forsett had not a single suitor.
And so he cried. Loudly. On and on through the night.
Finally, he stopped. He opened his Bible, which he carried with him to school every day, to a random page. Before him was Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
"I took it as He was speaking to me," Forsett said. "Don't worry about the circumstance—just trust Me and it will be all right."
His high school coach sent highlight tapes to colleges around the country. Still, no interest. Forsett kept thinking back to Proverbs.
Finally, more than a month after signing day, Forsett caught the attention of Cal coach Jeff Tedford. It had become apparent that Bears running back Brandon Sanders would be a medical redshirt, which meant Tedford had a scholarship for a running back. He looked at the highlight tape on his desk. The running back on his video screen, he thought, was too good to be true. Something had to be wrong for him to be available.
After a thorough investigation, Cal offered Forsett a scholarship.
The path to Berkeley was difficult. But it was a journey of self-discovery. And it was preparing Forsett for something bigger.
At the 2008 scouting combine, Forsett measured 5'8" and 194 pounds. His vertical jump was 26.5 inches, which was 6.5 inches short of the mark registered by Darren McFadden, who would be the first running back chosen in the April draft that year. Forsett would be the 25th running back selected, by the Seattle Seahawks on the seventh round. He thought he might be picked in the third round, but when he ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at his pro day, his appeal to NFL teams waned. Small and slow, scouts like to say, is a bad combination.
It mattered not that Forsett had run for the third-most yards in Cal history, or that he was all-conference. The best he could be, according to NFL groupthink, was a third-down back and special teams contributor."I felt like people looked at my size and placed me in a box," he said. "They couldn't look past my height and weight to see what I could do on the field if I got a chance."
Once he was padded up in training camp, Forsett impressed Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell and head coach Mike Holmgren. He made the team but not the Week 1 active roster. After the first game, the Seahawks needed a roster spot. They liked Forsett but thought he would not make the active roster in the foreseeable future, so they waived him with the idea of signing him to the practice squad, Ruskell said. Then the Indianapolis Colts claimed him on waivers. He packed his bags and headed east.
It was a disappointing way for Forsett's career to begin, but he was learning about NFL biases. And it was preparing him for something bigger.
When Forsett's name crossed the waiver wire, Colts personnel men looked back at his first two preseason games. Forsett had rushed for 194 yards in games against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. There was something there, so they claimed him with the idea he could return kicks. For three weeks, he was their return man.
During this period, Forsett listened to and watched Colts coach Tony Dungy intently. He admired his transparency, his sincerity and his accessibility. He was inspired by Dungy's simple leadership, and he wanted to be a leader like him.
Forsett left an impression on Dungy as well. "He was a very hard worker and very determined young man," Dungy said. "Great attitude and a quick learner. I thought he would do well if he got an opportunity to play."
Less than a month into Forsett's tenure in Indianapolis, the Colts had cornerback problems, and they had to create a roster spot to sign veteran corner Keiwan Ratliff. Like the Seahawks before them, they thought they would sign Forsett to their practice squad. But it was the Seahawks practice squad Forsett decided to join.
Through all of this, Forsett's mother Abbie was being treated for cancer and was given one year to live (she is in good health today). He was concerned mostly with being an emotional and financial support to his family. His first month of regular-season play was unsettling, but he was learning about selflessness. And it was preparing him for something bigger.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2294423-always-overlooked-justin-forsett-finally-breaks-through-at-highest-level
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