SALT LAKE CITY — Life changes.

No matter how tactical you are planning your future, there are some things you can’t avoid. Without giving permission, sometimes life takes hold of the steering wheel and drives you in a new direction.

It’s something we can all relate to, and Utah kicker Matt Gay is no exception.

Soccer prodigy

Gay, the youngest of eight children, was kicking the soccer ball as soon as he could walk. He joined organized soccer around age 3 and immediately fell in love with the game. Growing up, he followed his brothers’ footsteps playing sports and couldn’t get his foot away from the soccer ball.