GOOD HOPE, Ala. – Good Hope’s Jathan Smith just collected his diploma last week and in this interview, he talked about some of his favorite memories both on and off the field from his Raiders years.
“My favorite football memory was when we became county champs last year. We had the top defense in the state for four straight weeks, and we finished 10-2 last season, which had not happened at Good Hope since 2007,” Smith said. “It was amazing. They all held me accountable for the things that I did, and they were great people. They cared for me, and they taught me how to be a better person and a better man. I learned how to control the things I can control, how to treat people, how to be a leader, how to respect people, and most importantly, how to better my relationship with God,” Smith said. “It was great playing for my coaches. I loved every moment I had with them. They treated me like their own kid, if not better. They showed me love and kindness, while also holding me accountable for the things I did wrong and also rewarding me for doing things right. They taught me how to be a better person, and they showed me to the Lord.”
Jathan talked about his favorite football game, his favorite track-and-field event, and his favorite archery event. He will remember and miss so many things about competing at Good Hope.
“I loved the game against Fultondale last season. We were not supposed to beat them, but we did, and it shocked the state and the county. In track, I liked doing the shot put, and in archery, I liked doing the 3D shoots,” Smith said. “I will remember all of the fun times and the great people I met. I will miss playing on Friday nights in front of friends and family and making my community proud.”
Jathan made a lot of memories off the field as well and talked about what made Good Hope a special place to be.
“My favorite high school memories were all the fun times that I had with my buddies in class, and rolling the teacher’s yard,” he said. “What made Good Hope a special place to go to is how welcoming everyone is and all of the great teachers and staff that they have over there. I will remember all the fun times I had in Mrs. Pope’s class, and I will miss having fun times with my friends and teachers.”
He competed alongside many great teammates, and he gave some advice to the students that will be starting high school in August. Being that role model for the younger kids was so important to Jathan.
“It was amazing. They were all great people who cared and loved one another, and they made school and sports fun,” he said. “Take your time. Don’t wish for it to be over with, because it will be over in a flash. Have fun, and don’t take any moment for granted. It was very important. I wanted to show them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, and I wanted to show them how to be a great leader and a great person. I wanted them to be better than I was.”
Jathan was in the Pep Club, and he soaked up so much from that experience. God has played a big role in his life too and he shared a couple of his favorite Bible verses.
“It was great being in the Pep Club. I learned how to always be helpful, how to give time and help people when I can, and how to serve my community,” he said. “He has played a tremendous role in my life. He has taught me how to love and be a better person, and He has shown me the right way to do things and helped me stay away from the wrong things in life. My favorite Bible verses are John 3:16 and Romans 3:15. In John 3:16, it shows us how much God really loves us, and in Romans 3:15, it shows my love and affection toward my girlfriend.”
He talked about some of the role models he has looked up to in his life and wants people to remember him as someone that helped people around him.
“My role models in school were coach Matthew McCulloch and coach Griffin Morris, and my role models in sports were Alabama football players Kaydn Proctor and Will Campbell. They are great people. They do their jobs well, and they treat people with respect,” he said. “I want people to remember me as someone who treated people well, and someone who helped out the community and the people around me.”
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