“Every year, my goal is growth. I want to outdo my previous self. I am optimistic I will,” said the LA Chargers’ Starting Free Safety Elijah Molden (number two). Last year, Elijah showed up and showed out in his first season as an LA Charger. He hopes to surpass his prior performance and do even better than he did the year before.

   Prior to his existing career with the Chargers, Elijah played for the Tennessee Titans as a cornerback. After spending three years with the Titans, he got traded to the LA Chargers. “I had to leave my house and family in Tennessee at a moment’s notice and come to LA. I had to learn a new playbook as fast as possible and play with teammates I hadn’t known yet. It was a challenge but I loved it,” Elijah explained.

   This program is one familiar to the Molden family. Elijah’s dad, Retired Cornerback Alex Molden, drafted in the first round as the 11 pick to the New Orleans Saints, played for the Chargers as well (back when they were based in San Diego). “I feel pretty cool to have a son working for the same organization as I did. Not too many people can say that,” Alex said. Alex is right, according to an article about the Football Hall of Fame, there have been over 250 father son combinations who have both played in the NFL compared to the almost 30,000 men who have played in the pro league (profootballhof.com, sportsblog.com).

   “The three biggest things that make Elijah special are his work ethic, coachability, and attention to detail,” said Alex. This must be true because, according to Elijah, he just recently extended his contract with the team.

   Alex went on to explain Elijah as a person. “He is and always was very serious and intentional about anything that he put his mind to. When he wanted something, he was 100 percent locked in,” said Alex. In order to make it as far as both Elijah and Alex have, you must be intentional with everything you do.

   With that said, discipline is not a given skill, it is one acquired through practice and observation. One main way to observe is with a role model to look up to, especially in the home. According to an article about children’s role models, “A parent is a child’s first teacher, a role model example, and so on…. Good role models at home can profoundly shape a child’s values and aspirations. Role model examples for students start with the qualities they see daily” (moonpreneur.com). For Elijah, his role model is one he observed daily and as a result, developed similar traits. “My role model is my dad, because I have no idea how he had eight kids. I have two and it is hard, so I respect him even more as a father myself,” Elijah explained.

   One challenging aspect of the game that Elijah has faced is injuries. “I’m coming off of a meniscus repair surgery I had and have been rehabbing, so I’m trying to get my body back on track. I also want to end the season healthy so I can have a successful off-season and prepare for next year,” Elijah said. Due to the fact that football is a contact sport, injuries are common, but Elijah seems to be handling them well. “He knew from a very young age that injuries are a part of the game. He has a great attitude about it.” Alex said.

   Although injuries may have been a minor setback, Elijah will surely come back stronger. As this season awaits to see what Elijah will do, he continues to work hard and push forward to reach his full potential.