"Sometimes, pride can be a curse. It burdened Patriots defensive tackle Kyle Love after his career at Mississippi State. He had a surgically repaired toe injury that never healed correctly during his collegiate days, and it caused him so much pain that he sat out a number of practices during his senior season. Love knew it affected his performance on the field, and he hated the idea that he couldn't play to his potential. Because of that, he was ready to quit. "Honestly, I wasn't even going to play football anymore because I was so banged up coming out of college," Love said. "I really felt like I didn't want to waste any of these coaches' time, but a lot of people were telling me, man, you're good enough to play. You should at least go out there and try. At least you can say you never quit on it. You at least tried. "So I figured I would come out here and give it a go, see where I can take it. (Coach Bill) Belichick blessed me with the opportunity of playing, and I appreciate him for that because he's the main reason why I'm here." Love, the son of a retired Army colonel, had seen his father's continuous work ethic for the sake of his family and his country. If his father always wanted to press for more, Love knew he had to do the same — and he wanted to do the same." Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/..._of_love_to_give_pats_dt_eyes_even_better_12/
