By Joseph Krum
Managing Editor
@joseph_krum
For any football player, their senior season is one for the memories. For Coppell High School senior kicker Tyler Smith, he is trying to use his senior season make more memories for others.
Smith dedicated his last season as a Coppell Cowboy to help raise money for childhood cancer. Through the Kick-It organization, Smith takes pledges and donations through a website and tries to help the fight against childhood cancer.
As for why Smith decided to use his senior season, he just wanted to help a cause.
“I wanted to help out a cause for cancer,” Smith said. “I felt like this was a good idea. I would appreciate some help like this if I was in the situation and had this illness.”
The Kick-It organization, which is a donation platform for many athletes, was found by Smith in a unique way.
“I found out through Kohl’s Professional Kicking Camp, who sponsored this organization,” Smith said. “They had a table set up saying ‘Kick-it for cancer’ and I decided to do it.”
Stephen Smith, Tyler’s father, is extremely proud of his son and his dedication to help others.
“I thought it was a great idea for him to be able to help kids with cancer,” Mr. Smith said. “Tyler has always wanted to help kids going through bad diseases and I thought it was just another example of him wanting to be a help and support other kids.”
Smith so far has raised a total of $555 this season, which is close to reaching his goal.
“I plan to raise $750 throughout the whole season,” Smith said. “It’s $25 for every point I make so hopefully I can reach that goal and make that money.”
Even though his goal is to raise $750 throughout the season, the Smiths are not wanting to just stop there.
“We are also looking for other opportunities after the season to help donate,” Mr. Smith said. “We want to make sure we don’t stop but we find other ways we can help after the season. It’s not just about getting donations through each season but getting donations overall to help find cures to children’s cancer.”
Special teams coach Karl Pointer knows Smith personally and isn’t surprised that he would do something like this.
“I can see something like this coming out of Tyler,” Pointer said. “He is very responsible and cares about his classwork and his teammates. He has a goal that he sets out to do and has a good drive to go out and do it.”
Pointer also hopes that Tyler can spread the word to others and inspire them.
“I hope [it encourages other athletes],” Pointer said. “I hope he’s willing to tell his teammates what he’s doing and not just keeping a secret and just be that encourager to step up and help someone who is less fortunate than them.”