Hamilton High School has played football since 1914, the same year World War I began.
In the pandemonium that ensued after the Bulldogs clinched their first state championship berth in school history, everyone wanted a piece of star running back Halston Haile. The senior has racked up 2,446 total yards and 28 touchdowns this year by evading defenders. But there was no escaping the media interviews and fans who wanted to shake his hand.
And while Haile appreciated the congratulations, he kept scanning the crowd like a running back looking for the crease, searching for the one person he needed to see. His father.
Brian heard from friends that Halston was hollering for him. He could even see his boy taking pictures and hugging teammates. In that moment, he must’ve felt like opposing defenses had all season. He couldn’t close the gap and wrap Halston in a bear hug because the entire town of Hamilton was in a single-file line trying to leave the bleachers from one exit.
“I couldn’t get out of the stinking stands,” Brian laughs. “It was a bottleneck to get down there, and it took me like 15 minutes.”
When they finally united, father and son didn’t have to talk much. There aren’t words that can sum up what they’ve been through, but Brian gave it his best shot.
“I cannot believe you’re here,” Brian said.
Sign In