Chapter 1

By the time I entered college I was 6ft8” tall and weighed 280lbs.

I went to the top school for athletes in Bedford N.H.

My name Is William Kennedy and at 8yo and I was already 5ft6” tall and weighed 100lbs.

As a young boy, I was always fascinated by the thrill of scoring touchdowns and the roar of the crowd at Pop warner football games. I dreamed of one day becoming a star receiver on my team, just like my idol Jerry Rice. But little did I know that my journey to greatness would begin with a humble start as an equipment guy for our team, the Cougars.

Every weekend, I would watch from the sidelines as my heroes the Cougars would battle it out on the field. The smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of pads crunching, and the rush of adrenaline as players fought for every yard - it all captivated me. My heart raced as I imagined myself out there, making game-winning tackles and helping my team to victory.

One fateful Saturday morning, Coach Brown approached me during practice. “Hey kiddo,” he said with a grin, “I need someone to help us out today. Can you do me a favor and be our equipment guy” My eyes widened as I nodded eagerly, unable to believe my luck. This was my chance to be part of the action!

For the rest of the season, I ran water, fetched balls, and even served as a human shield for our quarterback during drills. It wasn’t glamorous work, but I didn’t care. Every moment on the field was precious, and I soaked up every lesson like a sponge. Watching our talented receivers run routes and make acrobatic grabs gave me ideas for my own techniques. As the weeks passed, I began to see the game in a new light - not just as a spectator, but as a participant.

Come game day, I was more than ready when Coach called upon me to suit up as a wide receiver. My heart racing, I strapped on my helmet, took a deep breath, and joined my teammates on the line. For the first time ever, I felt like I belonged. And as we huddled around our fearless leader, barking out plays and preparing for battle, something magical happened. We became a cohesive unit, united in our quest for victory.

In that moment, I realized that being a wasn’t just about receiving; it was about trust, communication, and working together towards a common goal. Our offense clicked like never before, and we cruised to an easy win. From that day forward, I knew I had found my calling - not just as a player, but as a leader on the field

Years later, as I look back on those formative seasons in Pop warner football, I smile knowing that my journey to greatness began with a humble start as equipment boy. That experience taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and teamwork - principles that have stayed with me long after I hung up my boots. Now, as a proud father watching his own kids play sports, I pass along these same lessons to the next generation, hoping they too will find their passion and chase their dreams with the same fire that burned within me all those years ago.