U.S. National Team alum James Mayden has been in your shoes before.

The New Mexico Highlands student-athlete knows that everyone who plays football wants to play every down and make all the big plays.

Unfortunately for many athletes, that’s not the case.

In this scenario, it’s important for you as a player to learn how to support your teammates. Staying positive and playing together is the only way the team can overcome adversity.

“From redshirting to depth chart changes, athletes go through a series of self-doubt and frustration to crack that starting lineup,” Mayden said. “Sometimes, the athletes can take their negative frustration out on their teammate and cause a cancerous effect.

“My first two years at Rice, I played behind three future pro football players. I wanted to get out on the field and play as much as those guys, but I also knew to trust my teammates to put us in the best position to win.”

Mayden spent his freshman year second on the depth chart behind Dennis Parks, a Cleveland Browns free agent signee last season. Instead of getting mad at the coaches or threatening to quit the team,  Mayden acted like a sponge anytime he could.

Parks became a mentor and taught Mayden everything he needed to know about how to work hard every day and perfect his craft. He also learned a lot from Mario Hull, a San Francisco 49ers free agent signee, and Jordan Taylor, a Denver Broncos signee.

Even though your situation on the team could be a little different than Mayden’s experience, the core value of it all remains the same.

Support your teammates and coaches the best way you can and good things are bound to happen for not only you, but the entire team.

“Staying positive and learning that my time will come as long as I continued to work hard and support my teammates was a very important lesson I needed to learn about this game and life as a whole,” Mayden said.

“Sometimes a little patience and encouraging of others is all we need to acquire success.”