HUMILITY and gratitude.
On the back of his faith, that’s what makes Adam Saad the person he is.
Fresh off a career-best season which culminated in a maiden All-Australian selection, it’d be no surprise to any at IKON Park that Saad himself is keeping a level head.
After all, that’s who he is.
Interviewed by captain Patrick Cripps for the Ball Magnets podcast, Saad was asked what the most important lessons were that he had learned in his time in football to pass on to the next generation.
While he mentioned the tangible sacrifices for the betterment of his career as well as the hard work to accompany it, Saad said what was just as important was the mindset away from the game.
“Always remind yourself and put things into perspective . . . always have gratitude, always be humble, have a smile on your face and be a good person,” Saad said.
“It goes a long way.
“Stripping it right back, being grateful for everything we have — being really happy is the most important.”
While hosting the podcast, Cripps brought up a story of how Saad welcomed a number of teammates to his family home for a barbeque.
For Saad, it was a way to give back to his teammates at a club which has done the same for him, as well as continuing to educate his contemporaries on his every day.
“Early on in my career, I was a bit shy and a bit reserved. But coming to the Club and having those honest conversations with ‘Vossy’ and speaking to ’The Skip’ and the rest of the boys, I’m educating them about what I do,” he said.
“Every Friday, we have Jummah Prayer . . . I let ‘Vossy’ and Andrew Russell know that I have to go and I’ll be gone for an hour, and they fully support and trust me.”
In Cripps’ eyes, there aren’t too many Carlton players who garner a bigger reaction than Saad.
And yet, fame is something that Saad never sought out, but merely stumbled upon. It continued to grow as his football journey evolved after starting at Coburg City Oval.
Staying true to himself has been the foundation of Saad doing what he does, particularly in the case of the Adam Saad Pathways.
“I know there are a lot of things said about Muslims around the world, but we’re normal people: we love having a laugh, I’m a jokester, but I’m always coming back to our core values. It’s the way I live my life,” he said.
“It may sound like there’s heaps in it, but because I do it every day, it comes as second nature. That’s who I am.
“I don’t see myself as a role model, but if kids do look up to me, hopefully I’m setting the right example.”
This is an excerpt of Adam Saad's chat with Patrick Cripps for the Ball Magnets Podcast. For the full chat, head to this link.
