It All Starts With Someone

When I was little I always watched football with my family. It would be our Sunday routine. We would go to the store and stock up on junk food, put our jerseys on, and watch the game. I always admired the guys that played on the big screen. I looked up to them, not only as athletes, but as people. I always wanted to play football and I strived to be as good as them. Whenever I went to practice I would think about how hard they hit and I always thought I could do the same. You're probably thinking, where are you going with this?
A couple weeks ago I had a girl approach me who wanted to interview me for a school project. I gladly said yes. She wanted to know everything about football. She told me she was inspired by me and that she was thinking of playing.
Also, about a month ago my boyfriend's little sister told me she was so excited because her parents finally said she was allowed to play football.
It's crazy to my knowing that I'm the reason some girls want to play the sport. I'm the guy on the big screen for them.
During the summer I'm excited because I will be able to help coach my boyfriend's little sister, Ella. She will be playing on my little brother's team, who is 44-0. It's nice because my dad coaches the line for their team and that's the position she will be playing and coincidentally the position that I play. I'm so excited to see her progression throughout the year and hopefully she has as much of a blast as I do when I play.
Another exciting thing this summer is GOAT Camp, where I also have the opportunity to coach. GOAT Camp stands for greatest of all time, it is in memory of Aaron Alford (former athletic director that passed away). This is a camp where over 150 kids come from the ages of 8-14 to learn and play the game of football. This past summer there was one girl in the midst of all the boys. She was confident and it was awesome to watch her. It's an easy and fun camp for girls to get the feel of playing with the boys without any contact. I'm encouraging more girls to go and hopefully I get to have the privilege of coaching some of them.

Coaches and high school players at the Goat Camp this past summer

Seeing these girls looking up to me has inspired me to do better. Knowing that I'm a role model to even one person is mind blowing to me. You never know these girls might start varsity some day, more girls might start playing, a girls league may form. It all starts with someone. One motivational person can give someone the last push to do what they've always wanted.

The Little Kid That Could

We are going to venture off from my football life and take a look at my little brother's. My younger brother is 11 and has played football for 4 years. His team, going into a game against South Summit, was 42-0 and had won 3 championships. This game wasn't any ordinary game, it ended up being a game that would change people's perspective on youth football.
The playoff game against the South Summit Wildcats started at 9:00 sharp. The first half was a complete blowout. Park City was beating them by multiple touchdowns. The third quarter was the same deal, Park City was shutting them out. The turn of the game happened at the start of the 4th quarter. The Park City coaches gathered the team up and explained to the kids the situation of the other team. The kids were informed that the other team had a kid with autism. The kids dream was to score a touchdown and everyone was willing to make it happen.
First play of the fourth quarter. The ball was snapped. The other team handed the ball to the autistic kid and he started running. The Park City boys were diving at him and trying to catch up, but they had no chance of catching up the kid was just too good. While running he stepped out of bounds a few times, but the refs kept it going. He was 20 yards from the end zone, 15, 10, 5. He had made it. With everyone's help and unselfishness they had helped a little kid achieve his dream. It was very heart warming. Little acts of kindness can end up meaning the world to someone. *note to self*
After the game parents and coaches sent their gratitude towards the Park City boys, coaches, and parents. They also said they were rooting for them to beat Granger in the Championship Game. They wanted to see Park City with a 4-peat.
The last and final game. The fourth championship game in a row. On Park City's home field. The boys started the game strong, but Granger was definitely bigger and stronger. The half ended with Park City up 7-6. The score stayed the same until the very last seconds. Granger was driving and was extremely close to the end zone. They had a run that made it inches from crossing the line, but there was a penalty. After explaining the penalty the ref informed the sidelines and teams that time had expired. Park City had won their fourth championship game in a row and went 44-0. You don't see many teams do that.

Coco, Kirby, and I after their championship win.