Rejuvenated

This piece was written by Jamal Clay, a frequent contributor of Globally Ballin and the founder of "The Athletes Forum"

When I first started to get offers to play overseas, I really did not know how to go about it. So, when Marburg first reached out to me, I was not sure about them either, but Coach Sturdivant messaged me and told me who he was and that he was from the same area that I am from. For me it was important being able to have someone who could relate to me and be able to talk to me about the changes I would experience with moving to Germany.

Once Covid hit, it had me thinking about hanging them up for good, it just seemed like every time, I was knocking on the door to play something always happened. During quarantine I started working on myself and came to peace about moving on with football and starting a career job. With everything I was going through when Marburg reached back out to me about this upcoming year it seems like everything was falling into place. I have not been excited or motivated to play in a long time. What I am looking forward to the most this season is playing in my first professional game which I feel like is long overdue. I am excited to show the world what I am about and do whatever I can to help this team win!

On the field I am looking to be the best teammate I can be and help my teammates elevate their game in any way I can. I want to be someone they can lean on and depend on, on and off the field. As for off the field, I am excited to explore and see everything Germany and Europe have to offer. Since I have never been out the country, I know it's going to be a whole new experience for me and I’m excited to learn about different cultures and learn how other parts of the world do things.

Playing for App State was everything to me; I love that school and it has helped me become the player I am today. They believed in me ever since my freshman year and all the game experience and the big-time games helped me grow and learn more each year to keep getting better each year. It taught me that it does not matter who lines up in front of me, if I put the work in and prepare, I will be successful.

Top 3 things to know about me:

If anyone ever needs anything do not be afraid to reach out, I am willing to help anyway I can. I am also opened to learning knew things. I am quite easy going.

I love to golf! I am not the greatest, but I am always down to get a round in.

The team will always get my best. I will always give my all each day and when I don't, I want everyone to hold me accountable. That is how I continue to get better and that is how the team grows closer and gets better too.

To the fans and my teammates of Marburg, I am coming to work and earn everything, their respect, trust, playing time etc. I am determined to be the best player I can be and best teammate I can be. We all are in this together. I am on a mission to help this team win any way I can and to show everyone my signing was not a mistake. Marburg I am thankful for this opportunity you all are giving me to be apart of this organization and community. I am excited and cannot wait to get there.

Marcus Cox