Nate Hughes: Man Accomplishes Two Childhood Dreams Of Becoming Professional Athlete And A Physician
While we were younger, we all had big dreams to accomplish certain things. Even as adults, we still have goals. As for Nate Hughes, 34, he had two dreams, to become a professional athlete and a physician. He remained focus and has now achieved what he set out for.
Hughes graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Alcorn State University in 2008. He then began his NFL career as a walk on with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His career spanned the course of four years in which he played with the Jaguars from 2008-2011 and with the Detroit Lions from 2011 – 2012. However, he entered the NFL with an advantage that set him apart from his teammates and competition. Not only was he a wide receiver, Hughes was also a registered nurse with a purpose. While speaking with Because of Them We Can, Hughes opened up on how he was able to succeed.
“In the NFL we say the NFL stands for Not For Long. I used my off seasons not only for training, but volunteering and working as a nurse. I continued to work as a nurse after retiring from the NFL.”
“There are so many similarities between being a professional athlete and a medical school student. These similarities include a competitive environment, long work hours, attention to details, lots of studying, and pushing your body beyond what you thought was imaginable.”
“I will be doing my first year of residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. My final three years of residency will be at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, NJ.”
“The worse thing an individual can do is stop dreaming. I truly believe every dream is given for a reason. I’ve been cut from NFL teams. I’ve done poorly on tests. I was unsuccessful at getting into numerous medical schools on my first attempt. Adversity will find us all, we must keep working hard and never give up on our dreams. The feeling after overcoming the obstacles and achieving your dream will make all of it worth it.”
“Let no one out-work you. Don’t stop dreaming big. Make sure your work ethic matches your dreams. And never give in to whatever box the world tries to put you in.”
Hughes isn’t the only success in his family. His wife, Lt. Christine Hughes, is one of only five African American female pilots in the US Coast Guard. She also serves as co-founder of the non-profit Sisters of the Skies.
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