Derek’s junior year football season came to an abrupt end this year. Here are some of my favorite scenes from the season:

Everyone on the team wrote on or painted a link in the team chain at the beginning of the season. The captains wore the chain as they marched onto the field before each game.

Coach Gray taping up Derek’s wrists before the game:

He started on offense as the center

and often on defense too.

We definitely saw him grow this fall, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Among other things, he learned about leadership and persevering through pain–lessons that translate to life off the field.