Diagnosed with autism at 3. In his first year ever playing football, he earned a spot on his high school's JV team. True determination
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Join the CompetitionWhat he loves most about playing football is the challenge. He loves learning something new, pushing himself physically and mentally, and seeing himself improve every day. Being part of a team has also given him a sense of brotherhood and belonging. For Gabriel, football isn’t just about making plays—it’s about proving to himself what he’s capable of.
His uncle is one of his biggest inspirations, both on and off the field. He’s been there to help Gabriel train, teach him the game, push him when things get tough, and encourage him to keep getting better. Having someone he looks up to personally invest their time in him motivates Gabriel to work harder and make his uncle proud.
The moment that makes me proudest is watching Gabriel earn a spot on his high school JV football team in his very first year playing the sport. He walked into something completely new, put in the work, pushed through the challenges, and earned his place on that field. Seeing him prove to himself that he could do something he had never done before was bigger than football—it showed me just how much he’s capable of when he believes in himself and puts his mind to something.
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