Instagram story viewer> @_eripate_> Posts

Eri Pate

@_eripate_

478

followers

723

following

Until death, defeat is psychological.
@referiofficial
ETSU- Class 2030’
👻-referiofficial

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Spring State Cup 2026
“That’s the ref from instagram”
“Land the plane”
“Best ref I’ve had in 15 years”
“Any advice for my next game? Call Fouls.”
x2 Final Medals added to the collection
#referiofficial
@_eripate_ taken in Richard Siegal Soccer Complex by @_eripate_

162

30

4 months ago

#23 out

Yesterday was the final game of my soccer career.

And honestly, the pain didn’t come from losing. Losses happen. The pain came from knowing I’ll never live this chapter of life again.

One thing I always told this team was, “Lessons are learned in losses. A team or man who never loses is a team or man that never learns.”

Loss exposes character. Anybody can celebrate victories, but adversity forces you to grow. It forces you to either break or evolve into something stronger.

Another thing I always said before games was, “Control the controllables.”

That goes for soccer, but even more for life. There are so many things you cannot control. Injuries, losses, opinions, heartbreak, bad luck, timing. But you can control your effort, attitude, discipline, character, and how you respond when life gets hard.

Marcus Aurelius once said, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Another quote I always lived by was, “Until death, defeat is psychological.”

As long as you wake up breathing, there is still fight left in you. Until your final breath, defeat only exists if you accept it.

My ambition this season was never to be the best player on the field. My goal was to create a brotherhood. A family. I wanted every person on this team to know they had somebody beside them on and off the field no matter what happened.

And seeing grown men cry after that final whistle meant more to me than any trophy ever could.

People act like crying is weakness, but I think crying is proof that something mattered. How lucky are we to love something so deeply that losing it brings us to tears?

To all the underclassmen, juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and our 8th grader that went through this season with us, cherish this. One day you’ll play your final game too, and it comes faster than you could ever imagine.

Even though my playing career is over, soccer will always be part of my life. I’ll still be around refereeing, so if you ever see me out there, come give me a shout. taken in Tennessee by @_eripate_

193

61

5 months ago

BUCS VS WOLVES
DM FOR FULL GALLERY⛄️ taken in Summers-Taylor Soccer Complex by @_eripate_

184

4

5 months ago

UH boys soccer senior night pix
dm for photos like this!
⚽️ taken in East Tennessee State University by @_eripate_

88

5

5 months ago

“I’m free Tuesday to drive you to the eye doctor seems like you need it” - Random T.A. Dugger Fan

@jordisviews @_eripate_ taken in Citizens Bank Stadium at Elizabethton High School by @_eripate_

205

32

6 months ago

New look. Same goal. Giving back to the game.
@referiofficial @jordisviews
#referiofficial taken in Wing Deer Park by @_eripate_

180

52

7 months ago