![]() La’India Cooper Staff Writer Many Hubbard High School students have the dream of becoming a professional athlete, but only few achieve their dream. One former high school student with the same dream achieved that goal. Kelvin Hayden was born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago; he graduated from Hubbard in 1999. Hayden’s dream was to become a professional football player, and he achieved it. Hayden is a former football player for Hubbard; now he is the corner back for the Chicago Bears. He is currently on the injured reserve due to a torn hamstring and will miss the entire 2013 season. However, Hayden is a perfect example of how you can come from a rough neighborhood, not have the best in life, yet still become successful and live your dream. Q. What got you started playing football? A. “When I was a kid I always had a passion for baseball and basketball, one day me and my boys was at the swimming pool and after we got out the pool we went and tried out for a football team, and I haven’t stopped playing since. It was fi ve of us and after two weeks I was the only one still going. I get a different love for football that I don’t get from other sports.” Q. What was your experience at Hubbard like? A. “It was a great experience. Especially me coming from a neighborhood where there are all African Americans and to get that diversity atmosphere, it prepared me for the real world, it prepared me for college, and it just gave me a different insight in how the same we are.” Q. What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete? A. “Being a kid with a dream and being drafted into the NFL." Q. Who is a “hero” in your life and why? A. “My Hubbard family because I didn’t see potential I had but they did and they didn’t give up on me. My mother of course; she raised me by herself, she’s a strong woman and it takes a lot to be a single parent. Q. Do you have a saying or motto you live by? A. “Started from the bottom now I’m here, Everything I’m not makes me everything I am, and If it was easy anyone would do it.” Q. What was the best advice you were ever given? A. “My mom would always tell me, be a leader never be a follower and I still live by that motto. Don’t let anyone lead your life for you.” Q. What advice would you give to high school students with a dream? A. “Hold on to your dream, don’t lose focus. There will be plenty of things that will try to distract you from your dream, but if you have a direct vision and passion of your dream don’t ever lose sight of it I guarantee something great will happen if you keep your dream, a prime example is myself; I had a rocky road at one point but I just didn’t give up.”
1 Comment
Lidia Madrid
11/22/2013 03:35:54 am
I really liked this acticle because I like football and I see what advice Kelvin has for anyone who has a dream.
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