WEST CHESTER TWP., Ohio — In southwest Ohio, all eyes are on the Lakota West-St. Xavier playoff game. For one special member of the Lakota West Firebirds, he may be the most dedicated of all.
What You Need To Know
- Brody Hammons is the student manager for the Lakota West football and basketball teams
- Hammons has known many of the players on the team since second grade
- But Hammons is unable to play because he has muscular dystrophy, a disease that weakens muscles over time, which is why Hammons has to use a wheelchair
- The head coach of the team said Hammons is as big a part of the team as any other player
Brody Hammons spends a lot of time around this football team. The high school junior said these guys are like family.
“They’re good friends,” Hammons said. “I’ve known some of these guys since second grade.”
And they’ve been by his side through some of his toughest moments. Hammons has muscular dystrophy.
“As you get older, your muscles start to get more weak,” Hammons explained
Which means he had to start using a wheelchair in middle school when he could no longer walk. But he doesn’t let that bring him down because he still gets to be a part of this team as student manager.
“He’s as big a part of this team as anyone we have,” said Tom Bolden, the head coach of the Lakota west football team.
Bolden said Hammons inspires the team and coaches.
“For all these things that he battles, he’s squared away,” Bolden said. “He’s special. And he is — he defines grit, toughness and just great character.”
Hammons said he’s always felt part of the team, even wearing the jersey on the sideline.
“It makes me feel a part of them,” he said. “They don’t talk to me like — they just talk to me like one of the guys.”
But back at home, things aren’t always easy. Hammons undergoes weekly treatments to try and keep his muscles from deteriorating.
But still, he doesn’t dwell on the pain because he’s part of something bigger.
“I’m probably the biggest Lakota West fan of all time,” Hammons said.
In his room, all of his accolades are on display.
“I have these letters,” he said. “I got them from basketball and football.”
These moments are what it’s all about for Hammons.
