Former WSU football player Richard Sheron decided to close the door on football and open his own practice in dentistry.

On a scholarship for WSU in 1963, Sheron said he played football for four years as the tight end position.

From intense practices to concussions a player needs to have to have a strong mental attitude to get through it, Sheron said.

Sheron said he was accepted into the University of Washington School of Dentistry and the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

From the get-go he said he knew that he wanted to go into dentistry.

Sheron’s father was accepted into dental school and was enlisted in the Service to fight in World War II, he said.

Sheron said he was drafted by the New York Jets in 1967 where he could have earned a significantly high salary.

Sheron’s father died in a car accident during his sophomore year in 1964, he said. After his father died, Sheron knew he wanted to pursue his father’s dream of going to dental school.

This was one of many factors that led Sheron to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist, he said.

“I hated to give [football] up,” he said. “Practicing and participating at a higher level gets in the blood.”

At the time, it was difficult to train, play football and keep up good grades, he said.

Sheron now works with his two sons at his dental practice that he in Vancouver.

His son, Adam Sheron, has been working at Sheron Dental since 2000.

Adam Sheron said his dad has always been very supportive and has been a great mentor through the dental aspects.

Sheron said his favorite thing about working as a dentist is the relationships that are formed with people over the years.

Sheron said he has multi-generational families that continue to come to his practice. It is an amazing way to make a living.

“We set goals, work hard to achieve these goals, have setbacks and disappointments, but get back up, dust ourselves off and get back in the game,” he said.