bonding on the field

By Marlene C

Alexis Abrego, a senior at Yerba Buena High School, played football early in high school to form better connections with family and friends.While playing football Abrego was able to form these connections and received more such as support and love.

Abrego started playing football during his freshman year of high school because of his older brother and he wanted a better connection with him and he was able to get just that. They no longer argue like they used to and they hang out together more. Abrego says, “I would see him [my brother] play and it looked fun and also cause I wanted a better connection with him and it did give us a better connection.”

He was also able to connect and receive support from his teammates. Recently Abrego was having a hard time, he felt down and couldn’t bring himself to get on the field. So his teammates came together to cheer him up.

“I feel like a connection with my team, it's like they’re my boys, so basically even though they’re not family I feel like if I need something they’re there for me,” Abrego said.

He was also able to receive more than just connection, he was able to get support from his mother even though she knew he could get hurt during plays.

“She would always push me and tell me to do my best and she would always tell me that oh you got it like nothings gonna stop you, but then she would worry a lot because yeah it is football and there is a lot of like safeties...and injuries,” says Abrego.

Football also is a form of expression for him. He gets to express and release his anger issues without getting into or causing trouble. Abrego’s mindset changes when he is going to release any anger.

All he thinks about is himself wanting to hit someone hard and he does just that. “And for me I have anger issues so [football] is a space where I can just take it out on people, but like as a sport.”

Every person forms bonds and receives support differently. Abrego just seemed to have received most of it from football.