For Childress', Football Is A Family Affair
By: Alyssa Orange
Updated: November 29, 2012
For Abilene High's offense line coach Steve Childress, every day on the
field is a good one, but what makes it even more special is sharing that
same field with his two sons.
"You know, I've always been around it, and seen what the players go through to get ready for Friday night, but having a son, it became more personal," says Steve Childress.
Since Ryan and Reese Childress were young, football has been a part of this family- and their memories.
"In Middle School I was the ball boy, and so when we won state, that was a pretty big deal," says Reese Childress.
"When we were in Flag Football, we were facing the Cowboys, and I scored the winning touchdown of the Championship and he came and grabbed me and ran around the whole field," adds Ryan Childress.
"With Reese, it was Flag Football still, and we end up losing a tough game and I'm kicking rocks, I'm mad at the world. Reese comes over and he's so excited. I was like 'what is he excited about?' You know, all year long he had trouble getting his belt off. He got his belt off that game," continues Childress.
Now both are a part of the Eagles football team...
"They both told me they wanted to play defense, I thought 'no, they are making a mistake, they are offensive guys.' but that was just the offensive coach in me."
They may be playing for the same side on Friday, but with every brotherly relationship, comes competition.
"I beat him in everything, so there's not much competition." Says Ryan.
Who can catch a football better? "Me, for sure" adds Reese.
Ryan is in his final year as an Eagle, Reese only a sophomore, but their time at Abilene high together with their dad is coming to a close.
"It's getting short. I tell him every game, before the game, as he's coming down the ramp, to make sure he has fun," said coach Childress. He added, "Football is what we do, as a family. It's our glue."
"You know, I've always been around it, and seen what the players go through to get ready for Friday night, but having a son, it became more personal," says Steve Childress.
Since Ryan and Reese Childress were young, football has been a part of this family- and their memories.
"In Middle School I was the ball boy, and so when we won state, that was a pretty big deal," says Reese Childress.
"When we were in Flag Football, we were facing the Cowboys, and I scored the winning touchdown of the Championship and he came and grabbed me and ran around the whole field," adds Ryan Childress.
"With Reese, it was Flag Football still, and we end up losing a tough game and I'm kicking rocks, I'm mad at the world. Reese comes over and he's so excited. I was like 'what is he excited about?' You know, all year long he had trouble getting his belt off. He got his belt off that game," continues Childress.
Now both are a part of the Eagles football team...
"They both told me they wanted to play defense, I thought 'no, they are making a mistake, they are offensive guys.' but that was just the offensive coach in me."
They may be playing for the same side on Friday, but with every brotherly relationship, comes competition.
"I beat him in everything, so there's not much competition." Says Ryan.
Who can catch a football better? "Me, for sure" adds Reese.
Ryan is in his final year as an Eagle, Reese only a sophomore, but their time at Abilene high together with their dad is coming to a close.
"It's getting short. I tell him every game, before the game, as he's coming down the ramp, to make sure he has fun," said coach Childress. He added, "Football is what we do, as a family. It's our glue."
