The tension in the air was thick, the clock’s relentless countdown serving as a reminder of the dwindling time. Morgan, a force to be reckoned with, had the ball. With Morgan on 2nd down and 3 points behind they needed a miracle to win.
But let’s rewind a bit and delve into Keegan’s remarkable journey. From a young age, Keegan had to confront the challenges of a lazy eye, which would deter most people. However, Keegan possessed a relentless determination, thanks to the unwavering discipline instilled in him by his military father. “My life motto is my role model, my dad” said Keegan. In his early years, he would sit by his father’s side, watching him lead the tiny players which, unbeknownst to him, ignited a hidden passion.
Now, let’s fast forward to a hot summer night, the night of Keegan’s birthday. The festivities had reached their end, but Keegan wasn’t done. “Just be home at a decent time Mom said” and with that Keegan and his friends were off on a spontaneous adventure, which ended in them opting for a round of doorbell ditching. But it seems that night, fate decided to have a sadistic sense of humor as one seemingly innocent doorbell ring turned into a nerve-wracking yet hilarious confrontation. The man inside, driven by anger, burst out of the house and sent the boys fleeing through the junior high parking lot as he chased them.
The stage was now set for a completely different kind of challenge as Keegan started playing tackle football. Keegan, despite his determination and deep love for the sport, was feeling insecure regarding his size. Everyone was so much bigger and fear and self-doubt loomed large, but Keegan understood that they were simple challenges to overcome, not impossible barriers.
As the play started, time seemed to slow down. Every heart-pounding moment was etched into memory. The whistle blew, the ball was snapped, and Grantsville got the interception. With less than a minute left, they had secured a victory. The boys rushed to one another, their cheers echoing through the night, jumping up and down overjoyed. “Me and my friend were lowkey crying bro” said Keegan relating the moment to “probably one of my best memories”. He says that he feels pride in playing football and loves being a part of something that he loves.