Big brother’s needs shaped football star
and quickly picked up the stunts. He was a natural tumbler. His wrestling background also helped. He would join cheer after his football season ended.
During his junior year, the AIA added pairs stunts to cheer competitions and Henry and his partner placed second at the AIA state championships and first at the Arizona State Cheer competition. He also helped the team get to nationals.
“She made me try out,” Henry said. “After the first two years, I loved it. I had so much fun with the team and competition.”
Football season, his senior year, was reduced to a few games because of an injury. But he had impact as a running back when he was on the field.
“Henry is an immensely unique personality,” Valley Vista football coach Josh Sekoch said. “You wouldn’t know he is a tough hard-nosed running back. Off the field, he is one of the most kind human beings I’ve ever met.”
Brown is finishing in the top 10 percent of his class academically with a 4.2 grade-point average. He was set to walk on and play football at Northern Arizona, before he visited Weaton College in Illinois during the pandemic. He and his family walked around the campus on their own without a coach guiding. The NCAA Division III team wanted him to be part of the team. He said through his academics, he’ll have $12,000 a year to cover expenses. He plans to study philosophy.
The pandemic and closures have been hard, but Brown tries to find light.
Helping his brother has helped set him up for anything in life.
“Life is about giving,” Henry said. “It’s not about receiving. We have to look at this rather than a burden on us, it’s a blessing. Give without getting something in return.”