“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
This quote holds true for this month’s Athlete Spotlight honoree. Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic is proud to introduce Daniel Ledesma, April 2017’s Spotlight Athlete. Danny’s attitude has driven him to become the outstanding athlete and young man he is today. LSMC’s April Athlete is an exceptionally talented quarterback for the Nixon Mustangs.
When Ledesma was younger, his father passed away. His mother raised him, and his siblings, in a single-parent home. He saw how stressful it could be for her, but somehow, she constantly found a way to provide. Growing up, his longing to make his mother and father proud became his source of his motivation to succeed. He began playing sports alongside his brother, Peter, to get his mind off of all the stressful things going on around him. Sports created a channel for him to release tension and focus on competing. Ledesma remembers trying out with his older brother for the second-grade football team when he was only in first grade. The coach called his name to try out for the quarterback of the team, and he earned his spot. Since that day, he has remained the quarterback. This position develops and grooms leaders. Serving as the leader of his team, he has chosen Carson Wentz to look up to. Carson plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Ledesma admires Wentz’s quickness, mobility, and accuracy. The hardworking athlete strives to reflect the same techniques on the field to propel him and his team to the best they can be. Danny served as Freshman and JV Football Captain as well as the Varsity Captain this past season. Ledesma has played varsity quarterback for the Mustangs for three years.
“This year,” he said, “was the best year for the school and us.”
The 2016 season the Mustangs went to the second round of the playoffs. This same season, Danny clenched the District 31 5-A-MVP, 2nd Team All-City Football Award, and KGNS MVP All-Offense Team. Also, he earned Nixon’s “Most Athletic” award for 2016. Danny’s favorite sports memory happened this year during his rivalry game against Martin. In the midst of the excitement, Danny remembers the the last down of the game. Whoever won the game, went to the playoffs and whoever lost, went home. The stakes were high, but Danny and the Mustangs were calm in front of the sold out crowd. They overpowered Martin and pulled out the victory. They were triumphant in the Hammer Bowl. He recalls how electric the crowd was, and how amazing it felt to be the first team in eight years to compete in the playoffs.
His high school career passed in a flash but when asked to look back to where it began, he thought of what he would tell all of the incoming freshmen and underclassmen.
“Keep working and listen to your coaches. It will all pay off in the end, just keep working hard,”
He said. He is thankful for all of the motivation and desire his mother and coaches gave him to become the young man and athlete he is today.
Ledesma not only pours his time and effort into football, but he is also an active member of the community. He has clocked over 200 hours of community involvement. Danny is also a member of Blessed Sacrament Church. Ledesma is also a Team Leader for the A.C.T.S Retreat. His accolades are not only confined to the field, but Danny is also a standout in the classroom as well. Danny is a part of both the English and Spanish National Honor Societies. Ledesma is also a part of the J.W. Nixon Student Advisory Board and the Nixon Accounting Club. Danny is very passionate about math, to him, math makes sense.
Ledesma plans on attending the University of Texas at San Antonio this fall. After obtaining his degree in accounting, he plans on becoming a certified public accountant. His ideas about whether or not to walk onto the football team are still undecided. Whatever he decides, Laredo Sports Medical Center knows Danny will continue to make his parents and community proud.
We are so proud of Daniel Ledesma, and it is our honor to recognize him as Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic’s April 2016 Spotlight Athlete. We are so excited to see what all he will accomplish in his future.
Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic is South Texas’ premier sports medicine and orthopedic care provider, located in Laredo, Texas. Schedule your next appointment and let us get you back in the game!