My name is Rion (pronounced Ryan). I’m 15 years old and live in Gray Court, SC. I am homeschooled with a 4.0 GPA, however I play Varsity football at Clinton High School, Clinton, SC. I will be playing defensive end, center, long snapper this upcoming season or wherever to best serve my team. This past January I played defensive end in the Dream All American Rising Stars game. I also was the starting center for South Carolina's first FBU team and Team Carolina 13U for the Texas Youth All-Star tournament even though we did not get to attend due to weather. I was the starting center and defensive end for TEAM SC Future Stars team in Jacksonville, FL in June. I also participated in NextGen The Show at IMG Academy, as well as FBU TOP GUN in Naples, FL. Although, I am an early undergraduate I have already experienced both winning championships and losing, not just football games but in life itself. When I was three years old my dad deployed to Afghanistan, and I did not understand why he was leaving. Although, while he was gone my papa stepped in as a father figure and we became super close. My dad returned home from his deployment in July 2011 and everything was great. Then, in November, my papa (who drove a truck) passed away from a heart attack while driving. He had left for work early so he could be home later in the day for my football game. At four years old all I knew was papa was not coming and I thought it was my fault. My parents assured me that it was not my fault, but I still did not want to play football anymore. My family asked me, “What do you think your papa would want you to do?” and my answer was to play ball. So, I did and anytime I feel I’m not good enough or fast enough I just remember I’m playing in my papa’s honor. Along with my life’s lessons I have had to overcome some physical limitations, as I was legally blind until I was eight years old. I had to have eye surgery (four to be exact) I had been walking around, playing football and baseball and doing my school work basically blind. After, the surgeries my vision was corrected to 20/50. However, I was no longer able to play baseball, that is when I knew football was going to be my sport. So, I started working harder to improve anyway I could. I started dance classes to help with balance and footwork, started attending as many football camps possible and learning all I could. Learning to overcome obstacles, manage the joys of victory and perseverance through the pain of loss and defeat, has helped me grow into the student-athlete I am today. On top of football I am also a competitive dancer in tap, clogging (2020 Mr. America's Clogging Hall of Fame) and hip hop and I also take classes in ballet and contemporary. Dance has really helped me improve my footwork, speed, balance and grace on the football field. As I start my 9th grade year, I have had great success in my academics. My plan is to maintain high academic standards throughout high school and college to ensure I receive an education I can use after athletics.