Some of life’s most valuable lessons are best learned through after-school sports.
It’s not just about learning the plays or winning or losing of course, but how to win and lose as a team.
Back in the middle of September, I went to an event called Round of Hope, which is an event to raise money for pediatric oncology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
One of the first people I noticed was a young man who appeared to be not only confident but strong and polite. He was the type of teenager who looked you straight in the eye when he introduced himself.
He was the emcee for the event — this 13-year-old Easton Reeder from Brentwood.
He got up in front of at least 200 people and spoke from the heart. It was crystal clear — he was courageous, motivational and determined to be a voice for others.
I wanted to know more about him.
He’s in middle school and plays sports. He’s on his middle school JV football team.
I went on a Tuesday afternoon to check out one of his scrimmages. It was raining and Easton was in the middle of playing a game he loves with his friends, but he took time to run over to me and introduce himself.