It was the love of fear.
That seemingly oxymoronic combination put T.J. Dillashaw into a wrestling singlet. It made him a high school state runner-up, brought him a college scholarship he never conceived and made him a three-time NCAA qualifier.
The love of fear. It put Dillashaw in the UFC steel cage, brought him wealth, accolades and world titles incomprehensible to someone who grew up in a small Northern California town of 3,500, made him one of the poster boys for an entire sport and even caused UFC commentator Joe Rogan to gush in front of an international audience that Dillashaw put in “the most spectacular performance I have ever seen. …”
The love of fear. It also turned both of Dillashaw’s shoulders into hamburger, sent him to the surgeon’s table 11 times, caused him to make a decision he called “the biggest mistake of my career” and forced him out of the sport he loved before his time.
The love of fear. Eventually, it brought Dillashaw full circle, right into the Cal State Fullerton Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The former Titans’ wrestler will join soccer goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, soccer forward Eddie Soto, golfer Martha Wilkinson-Kirouac, former director of sports medicine Julie Max and the 1979 Baseball Team in this year’s class.
“I was surprised. I didn’t expect a call, I didn’t expect to be inducted because I didn’t have the type of career that I should have had when I was there,” he said. “I didn’t become an All-American. I didn’t become a national champion. I did good there, but I didn’t do great. Those expectations were something I try to hold myself to.”
This gives you a front-row seat to Dillashaw’s brutal level of self-awareness. You’ll find very few people, never mind professional athletes, honestly owning themselves like Dillashaw does. He is so honest, so open about his triumphs, mistakes, and yes, fear, that he thanked the interviewer “for the therapy session.” One that lasted an…
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