Contrary to the beliefs of some, college football isn't everything in life. However, most of the players involved in the sport prioritize it above many other things, to the point where it can be all-consuming. Grant Aasen, though, did not have that issue and he will be foregoing the rest of his football career in favor of... priesthood.
In a detailed report from Georgia Tech's official website, Aasen effectively announced that he will be leaving the Yellow Jackets in favor of a trip to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans to continue his education and, eventually, head into a different world altogether.
"I didn't plan on it, it really didn't even cross my mind when I came to college. [It was] about two years ago I started considering it. The past year, I've kind of known that that was where I was going to end up going. I visited Notre Dame over spring break with my dad and that kind of started the ball rolling.
"I really didn't make my final decision until last weekend right before I told Coach [Paul] Johnson. He's been very positive, so that did help a lot. That's where God's calling me to go. He's calling me to go now and not next year. I love football. If I wasn't going to seminary, I'd be coming back — there'd be no question about it. I just know that at some point I just realized, I'm called to go. This is where God wants me to go right now and I can't really do much else but to kind of say 'yes' to that and put everything else to the side."
Later, Aasen would reference the move as "the hardest decision (he has) made in (his) life" and it is easy to see why. It should be noted that the punter appeared in only one game as a walk-on under Paul Johnson but, in the same breath, Aasen could have become a contributor down the line for the Jackets.
This type of action, regardless of religious belief, should be commended simply because Aasen is choosing what he believes to be his best path, perception be damned. With that said, it is certainly wild to see someone leaving major college football in favor of seminary.
