Texas high school football is a big deal, and our kids take pride in being on a team. Just like other young men in high schools all around the state, our kids dream and prepare for their opportunity to shine in front of family, friends and the school they represent. There is a sense of pride in representing your school and coaches. It takes years of hard work in the weight room, on the practice field and off-season to get to play on Friday.
At Boys and Girls Country, there is a promising young man whom everybody calls “Gee.” Gee is a 7th grader playing football for the first time at the school level. His Teaching Parents describe him as a young man obsessed with football and sports in general. Sometimes he is really hard on himself about sports as he strives to be the best!
In his home opener, Gee had several tackles, an interception and a smile as big as Texas over his team’s victory against a strong Magnolia team. Even though he started the game with butterflies in his stomach, Gee got more confident the more he played. When asked what he liked about football, he could not help but mention his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Tyreek Hill is my favorite player, and I like to watch him catch and run the ball.” Gee also said, “I liked tackling and catching my first interception.”
Gee said that the coach was encouraging the team to “play to win.” We know that in 1 Corinthians 9:24 Paul says: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Gee understands that the lesson of this verse is to give 100% and not give up; not just in sports but also in life. Gee will be one of the boys to watch for in the years to come as he works toward being a Waller Bulldog playing under Friday night lights. Ultimately, he strives to be a leader off the field as well.
Gee wears the #22 in honor of his family. His dad wore the number in soccer, and his older brother also wore the special number. He does not think much about the crowd during the game but said it was nice to have people cheering and supporting him.
Keep up the hard work, stick to the values you are instilled with and always continue smiling because it brings so much joy to those around you, Gee! Go Bulldogs!
by Richard Proctor, BGC Director of Campus Ministries