Star City View by Carrie Lawton

of a beautiful day at the Panthers Den! As we entered a new oasis at the Hank Norton Center, every moment Coach Williams did his job and transformed a scrawny young boy to an eager player that was making more strides for it not to end moved the moment. I didn’t have the gumption to give up, and that helped me straighten up and execute in the interview. Each player that had more talent crossed my mind. Each play that rocked me into the love of the game needed to pour into the conversations. Till this day I can honestly say I had never seen my Dad smile as big as he did that day! You can never really be prepared for the adrenaline that pops off your body when you fi nally feel accomplished. I felt accomplished after that meeting. I felt like a man being respected. I felt like everyone that crossed my path had built an insecure boy into a student eager to be a sponge, and absorb everything I could take in, and utilize it later. I’ll forever be indebted to each soul that poured into me and the program that built us. My thanks to Coach James for being so humble, and kind, and understanding that passion for people can collide in every moment of football if you give a chance! “Gick, I missed you sooo much!” The hug Nate gave me in the stadium felt like home had reached out and grabbed me. It had been 4 weeks since I had seen my inspiration. I honestly can’t remember a time where it was ever more than a couple hours prior to me leaving for college. You see, my brother is the oldest of my parents’ children, and is a remarkably unique individual. He was born special, and absolutely loves football. Often I had heard my parents say, “Man, if Nate could suit up, those opponents would pay!” He is super tough, and sometimes doesn’t know his own strength. We were raised in football even without

playing until later in high school for myself. My Dad coached. Our common denominator to our family is football. It is a very close second to food in my brother’s eyes. He loves to eat, and then it’s family, and anything football. Coach Williams is like a god to Nate! He talks about “Coach” all the time. Every night before he would go to bed he had us repeat all the special people he was eager to see the next day at his school. “Coach Williams, Mawmaw Burton, Lucas, Andee, Boggee!” Every single night he rattles that off sometimes 100 times before drifting off to sleep. He inspired me to suit up! He helped shape me into the man I am today. Every moment I live is for him. He misses out on so much. I often refl ect what kind of lineman Coach Strader, Coach Breeding, and Coach Williams could have made him. I have worked out every day for 3 years in hopes of allowing Nate to live through me. He inspires me to work harder and tougher daily. Every single moment of truth is for you, Nate! The moment of truth came suddenly, even after 4 solid weeks of learning what time management meant. Embarking on my education and being on the football fi eld for hours hasn’t been easy, but it has defi nitely been worth it. Most people never have the chance of a lifetime. It has been so humbly fantastic to work alongside the souls that execute passion with every breath they take. It makes me thankful every single time I have a second to breathe that every moment has led me right where I was meant to be. Reality has taught me to keep chasing it, and these rare moments keep me grounded. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough to each soul that poured into this life. I’m grateful.

Star City View by Carrie Lawton