The crowd sees football. I see a young man learning that who he becomes matters more than any scoreboard ever will.
Thank you for supporting Kayden in this competition. Your participation made a huge impact for the Why Not You Foundation and their mission to empower change in the world, one individual at a time and one child at a time.
What is Youth Athlete of the Year?
Learn MoreKayden loves the feeling of earning something that can’t be handed to him. Every snap gives him another chance to compete, trust his teammates, push past his own limits, and prove to himself that he can do more than he thought he could. For him, football isn’t about being seen. It’s about becoming better every time he steps on the field.
Malachi Toney inspires Kayden because at 17, when he could’ve still been in high school, he stepped onto one of college football’s biggest stages and proved age doesn’t set your limits. Kayden sees more than a great receiver. He sees a young man who trusted his preparation, stayed grounded and wasn’t afraid to chase something bigger than what was expected of him. That reminds Kayden that his dreams don’t have to wait.
My proudest moment came in Kayden’s seventh-grade season. He was new to the school, started every game, but rarely had the ball thrown his way. He never complained or stopped working. Then, with a championship spot on the line, his team needed him. They finally put the ball in his hands, and he scored three touchdowns. I wasn’t proud because he scored. I was proud because when his opportunity finally came, he was ready. He had stayed committed when no one was watching.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
