FINDING MY FLOW
4/27/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football, Champions' TriBUne
Leaving things better for the next generation
By: Dillon Doyle Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. A first-team Academic All-American and Big 12 Football Scholar Athlete of the Year, Dillon Doyle is an Iowa City, Iowa, native who spent the last three seasons at Baylor after starting his career at the University of Iowa. As a senior, he had a team-high 90 tackles and two interceptions while also handling fullback duties in short-yardage and goal-line situations, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors at linebacker and fullback. Dillon graduated in December with his MBA after earning his undergrad degree at Iowa. With the NFL Draft starting Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., and being broadcast by ESPN, Dillon is looking forward to the next steps on his journey.:
Why am I here?
After my final game as a Baylor Bear, I was asked the question, "What does your time at Baylor mean to you?" This article is my answer to that question.
A New Home
In the summer of 2020, I came to Waco confronted with a harsh reality. I was away from my family for the first time. I spent most of my hours alone. My only real responsibilities were to learn a brand-new playbook and not get sick. It wasn't the freedom college is supposed to feel like, and I grew uneasy with the extended time alone.
Moving away to go to college is exciting. But it's also tough. On one hand, you have a fresh start, a liberating blank canvas of a life you're able to create for yourself. On the other hand, there's a lot of new responsibilities. It takes real guts to make the decision to choose our ultimate direction and follow it, pursuing the potential of one path over other possibilities.
There comes a time in all of our lives when we're bugged with some uncomfortable questions.
Who am I? Why am I here? What do I want?
My time at Baylor gave me my answers.
Identity | Who am I?
Baylor taught me that it's the person that drives the player. Yes, I'm a football player, but I'm so much more than that. Identity is the combination of actions and beliefs. The things that can't be taken away from us. So, what do I believe in? And what have I done?
Tribulations have shown me who and what I can really believe in. I believe in my family and God. Naval Ravikant said, "your real resume is just a catalog of all your suffering . . . the sacrifices you made. The hard things you did." I've lost people I love, chased and failed a lot of goals, and made a lot of mistakes. Through it all, my family and God have always supported me, helping to reframe the experience and take what I've learned to my next step. They made me realize in those moments that stress is merely a precursor to growth and knowledge. Baylor gave me the clarity and knowledge of what is most important to me.
Purpose | Why am I here?
Baylor taught me to connect with and learn from others. That was, and still is, a large part of my purpose. Baylor would present me with the opportunity to grapple with challenges that come with living away from blood family. I couldn't do it alone. The challenges I faced were softened by the immense amount of support and inspiration I was given by the new family I forged in Waco.
I admire so much about the people at Baylor. Everywhere I looked, new faces pushed me to be a better version of myself. In Coach Dave Aranda, I recognized a quiet, humble presence with a unique approach to relationships. In Terrel Bernard and Jalen Pitre, I saw a passion unparalleled that has projected them to new heights. I saw a toughness in Abram Smith and Bryson Jackson that showed up every day on tape and in the building. I saw men of faith in Colby Delashaw, Drew Estrada and Skyler Wetzel. I saw a light-heartedness in Griffin Speaks and JT Woods that made every day fun. All these guys are family to me, and I hope to make them proud. Baylor has given me more family to help me through the rest of my journey.
Challenge | What do I want?
Baylor taught me there are some things worth chasing, and other things that aren't. My favorite Bible passage, learned from my time at Baylor, comes from Mark 8:36. It reads, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" We can chase things in sport or career to some end, but we live on through the legacy that we leave behind. What I wanted was to inspire and impact others positively.
So many people inspired me as a kid. I couldn't be who I am without their example. At Baylor, my goal was to pay that forward. On Saturdays in the fall, I felt it was my time to leave my impact on the community. My play could be a full expression of myself while inspiring others to bring their best to their lives. Whether it was a 6-year-old in the stands or the linebacker playing next to me, I wanted to show that fears and anxieties can be transformed into focus and produce greatness. I want to make the world better through my craft. Baylor taught me that I can chase greatness for the purpose of leaving things better for the next generation.
The lessons I've learned go beyond football. When football is over, I'll still be the fifth Doyle — Doyle No. 5. I'll still believe that better people make better professionals. I'll still be connecting with and learning from others, and I'll still be striving to impact those around me.Much has changed since I got to Waco in 2020—internally and externally. Looking back on the journey, I feel pride, joy and gratitude. I've grown, hopefully matured a little, and come out better on the other side. By helping me find myself and giving me a family of people to love and inspire, Baylor has helped me find my flow in the world.
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