The West Texas A&M University 2023 football season kicked off Sept. 2. Despite football’s popularity, many people don’t know much about it. Football can have a different meaning to each individual person. Kris Sims, an outside receiver for the WT football team, has his own way of defining football through his personal experiences with the game throughout his life, that may be different than others’ definition of the game.
According to the National Football League, football is, “not only the foundation of the league, but also the vehicle through which our teams build lasting connections within communities nationwide.”
Sims said he feels that football is a way for him to find a sense of purpose in life, as well as build connections with others.
“To me personally, I would say football has done a lot for me,” Sims said. “It has helped me find a purpose in life, and build a connection with people that I’ll forever have a relationship with.”
Sims shared some of his earliest memories of the game that still carry a lot of meaning to him today.
“For me, watching it was my brother, just seeing him play Friday Night Lights, seeing what that’s like, it was cool to grow up and watch that,” Sims said. “And then I think about kindergarten is when I started tackle football. I went straight to tackle; I didn’t play flag, and ever since then, I just loved the game.”
Sims explained the main objectives of the game for those who may not be familiar.
“There’s an offense and a defense,” Sims said. “The offense is trying to score points, and the defense is trying to stop the offense from scoring points.”
Sims said he feels that it’s important for people to know the basic fundamentals of the game.
“I think it’s super important, knowing the positions and knowing what we go through can teach you life lessons,” he said.
The WT football team kicked off their first game away against Western Colorado University on Saturday, Sept. 2, and will play their first home game against Adams State University, on Saturday, Sept. 9th at 7:00 p.m.
