Straight from a players heart

[ftbl4life]

This is all over facebook tonight. Something positive from a player rather than the negative stories that usually spread so fast:
My name is Zayne Simmons. My story can go as far as you let it go, I'm a resident of SouthEast, Texas. I attend Vidor High school and start Strong-side Linebacker. It started... off as a game we played, then it became our lives, it grew within us and made us the men we are now. Our town has had ...a bad history of racism in the past, and people around this area won't let us move on from the other peoples mistakes in the past. But 2 years ago a boy named Matt Thomas came to my school, he was black and people were curious why he would want to come to our school. Later on me and Matt found out we were related and eventually became great friends. He was quickly accepted by everyone in our school. Always had a smile on his face and never had a dull moment in his life. It's now our Senior year and we have fought for not only victories on the field, but respect from all the other towns who look down on us. 2 months ago we lost Matt. He was struck by a train at 6:50 A.M. Sunday Morning October 16, 2011. Our town and our team was in total shock. We couldn't believe that he was gone for good. Coach Matthews asked us later if we wanted to play the upcoming game that week. We all thought about it and asked ourselves what would Matt Thomas do. So we came to the decision to play that week, We practiced hard even when everything hurt. We fought through the pain, even when we weren't sure if we'd make it. We are now 10-2 and in the 3rd round of the Texas 4A Division 1 play-offs. Every obstacle that was thrown at us we over came. We not only fight for victories on the field, but we fight for Matt and our towns respect. Football isn't just a game, it has taught us to keep fighting even when we are at rock bottom. I can only hope that this story gets out across the country for other kids who have had rough times in their lives and be an inspiration to the world.. I write this because something in my heart is telling me to, make this story known for our team and our city. That is all I ask of anyone who gets this and is inspired by it.

[bone]

Great post.

[dav-joel]

Wow. That was great!

[Riding Solo]

Awesome post young man.

[BRONX ROX]

great message makes you really put things in perspective  ;D

[Chester86]

Great, positive message that needs to be heard.  Best of luck to you, and the whole team.

[NDNation]

THIS IS VIDOR!

[LumRaiderFan]

Great post!

[jordibug15]

My friend re-posted it on facebook and I saw it.
It is an amazing post!

[vp93]

Me and my family are so proud of these young men. They are representing our community, their school, and their families so well. They are great ambassadors for Vidor on and off the field, fine young men.

[football04]

Great post, I wish you, your team and your town good luck in this weekends game and I hope Vidor and Nederland can meet again this year. 

                                                  Best of luck to you.

[robanadana]

Zayne, God bless you and the rest of the Pirates. Watched you at practice tonight young man and wish you well in the future. Ya'll have already made us proud beyond comparison. #28 is watching down on you right now...


[move][size=36pt][font=impact][b]ANNIHILATE ANGLETON!!!!![/b][/font][/size][/move]

[Guest Air Bisquit]

WOW!!! What an amazing post.
Best of luck to you and the Pirates.

[DoRightTrojanFan]

Great post!

[liltex]

Thats a fantastic message of faith & love,key ingrediants of building character.Those that truly believe can move mountains.Wherever there is a opportunity there will always be opposition.Giving w/a greatful heart and believing in better things to come will recieve a blessing you cannot hold it all saith the word of God.This thanksgiving will be one you will treasure for a very long time.

[belle-mere]

Your story reflects what's best in you & your teammates, as well as what's best in your & all of our communities in SE TX. Thanks for posting & for the break in the trash talking. You remind us what the game is all about:  learning sometimes painful life lessons and persevering.  Good luck young man!

[incognito]

This Pirate team is made up of special young men like Zayne, IMO some of the finest young men that have ever graced the field, young men full of the kind of heart and tenacity which has propelled them to the 3rd round of the 4A Division 1 playoffs.
Some folks have called them a "scrappy" team; I call them a team with heart, a hard-nosed, ram-the-ball-down-your-throat type of team with a ton of hustle. The Pirates are a team of players that play with purpose and leave it all on the field.  God bless you Zayne.....and Go Pirates.

[NedDog]

That is a very touching story, thanks for sharing.  Best of luck to your Pirates this weekend, Nederland is pulling for you guys!! 

[BMTSoulja1]

Excellent post. 

[QueenPirate]

I am so proud of our boys.  They have had to deal with and extreme amount of heartache this year and yet they continue to hold their heads high every single day, no matter how much pain they feel. As a VHS Alumni, this my friend is what makes you proud to call yourself a Pirate. The feeling you get while sitting in the stands week after week is like no other, its an amazing feeling of togetherness. I have been a Pirate since I was born and I wouldn't change that for the world. Go Pirates!!  ;)