New York Jets WR Ryan Spadola: “I’m Really Just Trying to Cherish Every Single Day…”

May 22, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Ryan Spadola (85) catches a pass during the New York Jets organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Too often do we hear about the mis-doings of the majority of players in the league. Arrests, court dates, multiple children, …etc., is all we hear about. It’s not often that we are blessed to have a guy come on the scene with his head completely screwed on straight.

In walks Ryan Spadola. Undrafted, signed as a rookie out of Lehigh. A local young man, he has made his way from unknown to fan favorite. He leads the team in receiving, has fans holding signs for him all over MetLife, and has made as strong of a case to make this team as a UDFA that we have seen in quite some time.

Through the rapid rise to fame in the eyes of the fans, how is Ryan handling himself? Quite well, if you listen to him talk. He talked to the media about these next few days heading into roster cuts, and what they mean to him:

It is probably the most important week of my life, I would have to say that. Everything over the next four days is going to come down to my dreams coming true or not. I’m really just trying to cherish every single day, mostly get better every single day. (Try to) become the best football player I can over the next few days. If I just do that, focus on what I can control, I think everything else will just fall into place.

With the comparisons to the one and only Wayne Chrebet, Wayne actually took the time to reach out to Ryan:

All throughout social media, all the people that (were) Jets fans growing up, they’re all kind of shooting me that similarity. I was very fortunate, he actually reached out to me and wished me luck. He gave me tips, going through this whole process because obviously back when he started his career he went through a similar process as I did. Obviously I took all of his tips and I’ve embraced that, (I’m) just going to continue to work hard. He said never sit back on anything you achieved up to date and continue to work hard and push to better yourself.

Here is a kid that knows what he wants to do, play football at the highest level. He is not looking to be Mr. Broadway, not looking for fame, or anything else. He just wants to work hard and perform well.

Wouldn’t the league be a lot better with more guys like Ryan Spadola in it?