Houston, Texas (KTRK) – It’s almost hard to breathe in the sweltering heat, but ABC13 announcer Greg Bailey watched Dekaney High School football players laugh and joke as they prepared for morning practice.
“Make it fun. Everyone here likes it. Not everyone can come in here and do this,” Nicholas Townsend said. Workouts seem to mean more to the tight Wildcats team.
Original report: A 16-year-old was shot and killed outside a shopping center in N. Harris County, HCSO says
Coach Anthony Williams knows to provide more than just structure and discipline. After Dekaney player Zion Lampley was killed earlier this year, Williams offered his players a safe place to congregate and grow together.
“When they know we love them like our own, and they love us like we’re their own, that carries over into the season,” said Williams. It also spills over into life off the field and the future for everyone on the programme.
Dekaney players wore sportswear with “kaizen” written across their chests, and “improved every day”.
The second pillar of the program is “Umbutu”. Full-back Christian Nwosu explains it like this: “I exist because we are. I am nothing without my brother. You are only as strong as your weakest link.”
Coach Williams proudly tells ABC13 that he has 11 players who already have great college scholarship offers.
Keyshawn Williams explained the impact of seeing former players return to the program to share the lessons they learned as they moved to the next level: “It’s inspiring. They always come back. They tell us about colleges, how hard the work is to get better.”
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In the heat of the moment, the future awaits.
For now, Wildcats focus on each other, the youngsters they consider members of their family.
“It makes me feel special. Just like my brothers and dad are here helping me to rise to a different level,” said Tannock Hines.
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