Brendan

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

He loves everything about football. He plays basketball and football but we all see how much work he's put into football. My son not just love the thrill of just being on the field with his friends and teammates. He wakes up early every day before everyone else to work out and does it without being told, even when there's no practice or training on the team schedule. He's the first one in our family to ever try the sport and fell in love with it. He's been getting better and better every day.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

He's been watching football with his dad since he was a baby. He's a huge Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan but he grew up watching Jr. Seau and Troy Polamalu and wanted to be a beast on the field just like them. He came from a family of generations of military service members and in his words "I want to able to help my family out and give mom and dad a break from working and struggling to take care of me and my siblings. They're my heroes and I want to be their hero one day playing in the league."

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

Brendan has the biggest heart. He's always the first one willing and ready to help. Watching him growing into the young man that he is and seeing him trying to teach his two little brothers how to play the game that he loves makes me the proudest. He also goes out of his way to make sure his friends and teammates who doesn't have a ride, make it to football practice with him. I am proud of everything he does on and off the field.