Editor’s Note: “Hawks Uncovered” is a series that tells the often unknown stories of Hebron students and staff.
It’s all for the love of the game. The long practices, the hard games, the extra work he puts in. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
Quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. — PJ — is looking toward his future in football.
He’s been playing football since he was 7 years old. He started with seven-on-seven, then played tackle football. Something about it captured his attention, from the life lessons to the community — he loved football.
His dad, Patrick Crayton, played professional football in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys; PJ grew up watching him play. He said his father is still one of his biggest influences in his football career, and his mother is one of his biggest supporters.
PJ calls his teammates his brothers; he’s known a lot of them for most of his life. He said they’re one of the reasons he keeps playing football.
As well as being the quarterback, PJ is also an infielder for the baseball team. He’s on varsity teams for both of his sports, which — with games, practice and the extra work he puts in — takes up a lot of time. He wants to continue playing both in college, which he’s currently trying to get scouted for. To help with this, PJ has been talking to new coaches each week and is trying to get good film from games.
He doesn’t have a college that he’s committed to yet, but he knows that he wants to keep playing sports no matter where he goes.
The way that he’s kept his love for the game alive is to “keep it fun.” PJ said not getting wrapped up in social media, offers or comparing himself to others is essential to keeping his love for the game. That’s the mentality he’s going to have as he looks toward his future in football. No matter where it takes him, it’s always going to be for the love of the game.
