Melissa Bigger

Speech-language pathologist; die-hard Cardinal fan; love music

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@LJLandeck Impressive play all tournament

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@akalla81 🙄

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@LJLandeck @AtkinsGolfClub I hope you enjoy it!

[Dave Wischnowsky @wischlist]

Mike Tirico dropping an “I-L-L … I-N-I” with former @IlliniVBall and current USA volleyball star @Jordyn_Poulter of Naperville. Awesome!

🔶🔷 😁 🇺🇸

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@LJLandeck @lyney_renae @jo_landy @LJLandeck My first job was in Riverton. Love it there!

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@cindyberry74 Exciting!

[Zach Piatt @zachpiatt13]

End 6 | 7-6 Chargers

Maroons get a man to third base but can't bring him in. Exciting finish brewing.

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@LJLandeck Especially that! Love the fun & ease this team has. Let’s shock the country tmrw!

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

I’ve been loving all the Illini content today, but this is what I’ve been waiting for🧡💙

[Illini Rant @IlliniRant]

Highlights/Radio calls from last night! Enjoy today, Illini fans

[The BoardRoom-ic @ILLBoardRoom]

Watching the preseason trailer the night before senior night to get the juices flowing. Just an awesome season with a group of guys that stayed true to the values Trent and Ayo helped build

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

In 2017, Austin Ekeler went undrafted and signed with the LA Chargers.

He was the 6th-string RB.

His only goal was to make the team, but it was a long shot.

He was an undersized D-II RB that wasn't drafted and wasn't getting practice reps.

He told his family, "Don't call me. I don't want to be distracted."

Austin was getting 0 real reps in training camp. The only reps that got him noticed were special teams and scout team.

So those opportunities are what he would take advantage of.
✅He ran every special teams rep as hard as he could, flying down the field.
✅He "over studied" to make sure he was in position and consistent.

And the hard work started to pay off. One day, head coach Anthony Lynn noticed his effort on special teams and asked who that was flying down the field.

The results weren't immediate. He kept working hard and being consistent, but he wasn't moving up the depth chart.

He was still 6th-string and barely getting reps. He even broke down crying in front of his position coach because nothing was changing, until it did...

During the preseason, he started to get more opportunities and stand out. He made some tackles and plays on special teams. He was always in position and he continued to get noticed.

Ekeler's effort ultimately paid off when he made the roster.

That year, Ekeler led the NFL in tackles on punts. He realized that was his opportunity, that was his role, and that was his job.

That was just the beginning for him because then his role and job would continue to evolve.

Austin Ekeler is now the starting RB for the LA Chargers and led the NFL in total touchdowns from 2021-2022 with 38.

Takeaway 1: Control what you can control
Focus on what matters and control what you can control. In the face of adversity and long odds, Ekeler focused on maximizing his efforts in areas he could influence. He worked on his special teams skills, doing work in the weight room, and learning the playbook. He even removed distractions from family and friends to focus on getting better.

The most resilient people know that "you can control what you can control." This mindset promotes ownership and a proactive, solution-focused mindset.

Takeaway 2: Do Your Job To The Best of Your Ability
Austin Ekeler's story teaches us the significance of seizing opportunities and performing your role with passion, energy, consistency, and attention to detail. Little details make big differences. He made the most of his limited opportunities by giving A+ effort on every play. People notice when you are consistent in your mindset and actions. Passion and energy can't be faked.

Everyone stars in some role, and your character shines when you give your best. Good character isn't just a trait, it's a choice that leads to a life worth living.

"In my mind where I'm trying to progress, just getting by is never good enough. You owe it to yourself and the people around you to try to maximize your capabilities because that is why you're on this Earth." - Austin Ekeler

- - -
Follow @coachajkings for more content like this!

[Bret Beherns @BretBeherns]

The Dick Butkus press conference in 2019 for his statue dedication was pure gold

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

Boop!

So taken by how this little one steps in to comfort her crying sister. Watch carefully and you’ll see that she models behaviors that have almost certainly been used to comfort and distract her during times of sadness.

She comes in close to make eye contact. She offers a playful boop on the nose to elicit a laugh. And then closes the deal with a much-needed hug.

In all things, babies learn from the examples set by others. It’s clear that this little one has some outstanding - and emotionally intelligent - role models. I’m betting that big sister is one of them.

Video via aguilaralba10 on X.

[CALL TO ACTIVISM @CalltoActivism]

“Today, the man wearing red got on the subway, he opened his folder and started reading. 🧐

A few stops later a man got on and asked him “what are you studying for? You look confused, maybe I can help?”

He said my son just failed a math test, and I am re-studying fractions so I can teach him. I am 42 years old and I don’t remember any of this, so I am reteaching myself.

The guy in the black informed him that he use to be a math teacher, and would help quiz him.

Everything the man in the red got wrong, it was broken down and corrected for him.

By the end of the train ride, the man had a better understanding.

He had a new method to come home with to teach his son.

It’s the little things like this that I love seeing, because most people could care less about what the person next to them is going through.

❤️❤️❤️”

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@LJLandeck The Cure!

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@akalla81 I fully support this choice!!

[St. Louis Cardinals @Cardinals]

Mr. 700, #AlbertPujols!

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@akalla81 We watched 3 episodes and had to take a break. 🫣

[Melissa Bigger @ltstlk2]

@argherna @jimnance I am a proud graduate of EIU. #bleedblue