Growing up as a kid, whether it was witnessing the “Friday Night Lights” experience at the local high school, or watching game-changing athletes like Michael Vick light up opposing defenses, sports have always captured my imagination to its fullest extent. 

I’ve had the pleasure of participating in a variety of sports, ranging from my younger years of T-ball, through the years of recreational and school football and wrestling, and even the occasional pick-up basketball or baseball game. 

To me, sports is almost a phenomenon in itself. It is something that brings the community together unlike anything else. 

In a world so divided and full of turmoil, it seems as if people temporarily put that at rest to engage with each other over that college football game, over game 7 of the World Series, or even the World Cup. These games or matches can unite a community under one cause, and can cause a whole city, state or country to celebrate in triumph, or to mourn in heartbreak.

Though this power of sports is often related with collegiate and professional teams, I believe all of it starts at home with the local recreation, middle school and high school teams. These home teams are the foundation for the collegiate and professional players and teams we all know and love. 

Home to me was in Stockbridge, Georgia where I spent nearly the first 10 years of my life. My love for sports — especially football which is my favorite sport — started here. Sitting on the couch playing Madden ’04 dominating opposing teams with the over powered Michael Vick, I knew in my heart that this was something I loved engaging in.  

I’ve been a football fan for as long as I can remember. I am a lifelong Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Falcons fan. It wasn’t until about 5 years ago, that I started to not only watch the games, but I began analyzing them as well. The more I did it, the more I realized that I loved doing it.

I found myself collecting stats and analyzing them. While doing this, I would also use social media as a platform to write out my thoughts on the games and the data I would collect. This would cause many of my friends to jokingly refer to me as the newest ESPN analyst.

Soon after, this hobby turned into a passion for me. I started to become intrigued with more sports and began to follow them just as close as I followed football. I became a fan of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks in the process, and I am eagerly waiting for Atlanta United FC to begin play a few months from now. I also am a fan of sports entertainment such as professional wrestling as well as combat sports like boxing and the occasional UFC. 

The overall passion and love I have for sports has recently given me interest in becoming a sports journalist. Journalism is always something I have enjoyed in all aspects, and combining that with my passion for sports and the potential to make a career out of it is exciting for me. 

I am excited and grateful for the opportunity of being a sports intern for The Covington News. This opportunity is something I can use to grow with and take the next step forward in chasing my dream!

Tyler Williams a senior at Alcovy High School and a sports intern at The Covington News. He can be reached via email at sports@covnews.com.