The Patterson family remains in high spirits following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory last Sunday.
Our oldest son James has been a huge fan of the Eagles since Fletcher Cox, another Yazoo native, joined their ranks. And his excitement continues with Kenny Gainwell carrying the torch. Both of our sons have attended every youth football camp Gainwell has hosted in Yazoo County. In fact, James now plays football on the same field Gainwell made headlines several years ago. At nine years old, James even recorded footage from the sidelines of Gainwell for The Herald.
Like so many children and teenagers in Yazoo County right now, they admire how far Gainwell has come, representing Yazoo on a national level with dignity. And just like his father, Curtis Gainwell Sr., shared with me during our interview, maybe many of those kids are thinking, “one day that could be me.”
Those are the role models we need right now. A Yazoo kid has shown us what determination, a supportive family and an engaged community can do for one’s spirit.
Gainwell is no longer that kid who played ball in his family’s front yard. He is an admirable young man who is literally being televised with his God-given talent. But, maybe, he still is that Yazoo kid at heart.
He has never forgotten where he came from, and may we as Yazooans never take our eyes off where he is heading.
Fly, Kenny Fly!
