UCA defensive lineman tackles mental health

Nathan Grant, a senior will start next season off in fall of 2021 with more than just defense in mind. Grant is powered by a great support system and team of players for the upcoming season. 

“My parents definitely try to be at all the events they can be at and try to support me in every way they can. And then aside from that, I just made some great friends and contacts and connections with students through playing sports,” Grant said. 

Grant graduated UCA last year with a degree in business management and is continuing his education by studying family consumer science, along with his secured position on the UCA football team as a defensive end.

“Everyone gets pushed so hard to make their bodies so strong, but oftentimes they don’t take the time to make sure their minds are strong as well,” Grant said. He would like to “push those areas and help people see that it is just as important to take care of your body as it is your mind.”

Along with being a full-time student, Grant is also hoping for a breakthrough in mental health in football. With younger adults in mind, Grant has goals to open a training facility to serve more than the body. 

“If your mind isn’t in the right place or you’re having a bad day or whatever it is, it can be weighing you down and stuff. It can affect, you know, your physical performance, and it’s going to affect maybe the next day’s physical performance,” Grant said. 

Grant wants to “definitely continue playing football whether that be professionally or whatever opportunities present themselves” after college as a first option.

Even with an unfortunate injury last season, Grant outlined the keys of success through studying and motivation. 

Grant said, “ I actually got injured in the fourth game. So it didn’t go as planned, but I was fortunate enough to get an extra year back. So I’m just looking forward to the next season.”

Grant discussed a few realistic goals for the next season that included setting records for the football program.

“Ultimately, I just want to be the best I can be,” Grant said. “From a numbers kind of goal or standpoint, I want to at least get seven to ten sacs this year and hopefully continue to play on after college.”

Another goal Grant hopes to accomplish this year is being a good team player to the UCA Bears through the new season. 

“Being a teamplayer means leading by example. There’s a lot of guys on the team that may or may not know how to get things done as a young player, at least when they first get here,” Grant said. “So, you know, we all have the same goal. We all want to get to the same place eventually.

So just bringing them along and showing them the ropes and, you know, getting them to see the bigger picture.”