Walk-on tryout has drive to overcome struggles

Devin Griffith is proving that a bed and pillow are not required to dream.

Griffith was one of 17 University of Hawaii students who participated in Wednesday’s audition for walk-on spots on the Rainbow Warriors’ football team. Unlike the others, Griffith spends his nights sleeping in his car.

“It’s been rough living in a car off campus, and just every day waking up and chasing something bigger than myself,” said Griffith, a 2016 Leilehua High graduate.

Griffith had relied on students loans, financial aid, and part-time jobs to cover living and school expenses since enrolling at UH in August 2016. Facing financial struggles, Griffith’s parents and younger siblings recently moved to Texas, where they have better opportunities.

Griffith had considered enrolling in a school in Texas when he was encouraged to try out for the Warriors.

“Just the drive to play football,” Griffith said of his decision to remain in Hawaii. “I’m missing it from high school. It’s something that’s inside you. Either you love to play football or you don’t. And whether you have the opportunity to play when you’re 18 and straight out of high school or when you’re 19 or 20, just keep giving it a shot and hopefully one day it will work out for you.”

This semester, Griffith moved out of the dormitory with the savings used to pay part of his tuition and school expenses. “It’s something you have to do to get by,” said Griffith, who exhausted his financial aid. “Not every day is the easiest. Some days are better than others.”

He said friends have been helpful. Some will offer him juice. “Some days you eat,” he said, “some days you don’t. … Some days are good. Some days guys will see me and knock on the (car) window or see me on campus or see me not going anywhere, and they’ll give me a slice of pizza or sandwich. … I love those guys a lot. They treat me like family.”

He said he goes to laundromats to wash his clothes.

Friends occasionally will have room for Griffith to rest in their apartments. But Griffith spends most of his nights in his car.

“Lean the seat back, cover up in the clean clothes you do have, and try to stay warm,” Griffith said of his sleep pattern. “The couple of extra dollars I get here and there I use for gas so I can turn the a/c on when it gets hot during the day or turn the heat on at night until I’m warm enough to go to sleep.”

Griffith is appreciative of his friends, whom he calls “a blessing,” but does not want to trouble them.

“Everybody goes through their own struggles,” Griffith said. “This is mine.”

This is the second time Griffith tried out for the Warriors. Although he played linebacker at Leilehua, Griffith auditioned at receiver to get more reps at last year’s audition. On Wednesday, he competed as a linebacker and long-snapper. Because the NCAA prohibits the use of a football during tryouts, Griffith had to pantomime the long-snapping motions.

“I’ve been long-snapping since high school,” Griffith said. “Any way I can get on the team, I’ll do it.”

The UH coaches still are trying to form the roster for spring training, which opens March 21.

Whether he receives an invitation or not, Griffith has no regrets about the sacrifices.

“Because at the end of the tunnel, there’s something better,” he said. “If it’s my burden, it’s my burden.”