“Was I Good Enough to Make It? The Question That Haunts Former Athletes”

Was I Good Enough to Make It? The One Question That Haunts Former Athletes

What happens when your playing days end before you ever get the chance to find out if you were truly good enough?

When an athlete’s career ends—whether by injury, bad timing, or simply growing older—it’s often not the ending itself that hurts the most. It’s the part that never got written. The unanswered question:
Could I have made it?
Was I actually good enough?

In this clip, Brannon Snead opens up about that exact moment. He reflects on where his path led, the things that never happened, and the deep desire for clarity that lingers long after the last game is played.

Have you—or your son—ever walked away from a season or a career with that question stuck in your head? What would it have meant just to get one shot?
That’s what we’re unpacking in this powerful moment from the Lupos Baseball YouTube channel. Watch the clip and drop your answer in the comments.

"I Just Want to Know If I Could Have Played"

Brannon shares the kind of thought that eats away at former athletes for years—not because of ego, but because of how much the game meant.

“I just want to know if I could have played,” he says.

It’s not about being a star. It’s about closure. That chance to stand on the field—even once—and know you were capable. That moment you can hold onto, win or lose.

Coach Leo responds with something every coach and athlete has felt:

It’s not about the outcome. It’s about knowing you were in the arena. That you tested yourself. That you found out.

Talent vs. Opportunity

Brannon goes on to mention another player—a guy he didn’t believe was better than him—who got a shot. Just three batters in the big leagues. But that was enough.

At least he got to stand on the mound.
At least he got to know what it felt like.

That’s what most athletes want—not a career in the spotlight, but a moment they can carry forever. Because once you have that, nobody can take it away from you.

Why This Matters to Sore to Soaring

At Sore to Soaring, we work with athletes who are chasing more than stats—they’re chasing clarity, confidence, and purpose. We know that the deepest regret isn’t missing out on a scholarship or a contract. It’s never knowing what you were truly capable of.

Our mission is to train athletes for more than just the game. We help young men develop discipline, mental toughness, and life readiness—so they don’t just dream of opportunity… they’re ready when it comes.

Learn more about our mission and how we prepare players for both baseball and beyond at
👉 www.soretosoaring.org

Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.

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