By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Representing the black and gold, wearing number three for Heir Sports Academy’s 10U team, Jayden Hernandez has battled back from a collarbone injury and has been a key factor in the team’s unblemished 6-0 record. After suffering a season-ending injury a year ago, Hernandez has bounced back to help his team remain atop Northwest Premier’s 10U standings.
While playing quarterback last season, Hernandez dropped back for a pass and was sacked by the opposing team. Unaware that he was injured, he stayed in the game for another snap before being taken out by his coaches. Experiencing some discomfort, he and his family went to the emergency room where they received the unfortunate news that his right collarbone was broken and his football season was over.
Despite his injury and disappointment, Hernandez, with his shoulder in a sling, continued to show up for practices and games to support his team.
“It’s been amazing to see him come back,” says his mother, Chezarae Hernandez. “[The injury] affected him mentally more than physically, [and we] didn’t know if he would come back the same or worse. So, to see him step on the field every game with confidence has been nothing but amazing, and to me, he’s doing better than he was before.”
Standing by his side and supporting Jayden since his early playing days has been his Grandfather Antonio Hernandez, a coach and grandfather all in one, who has played a huge role in his grandson’s development throughout this football journey.“It’s been great to get him started at an early age and teach him the basics and fundamentals,” said Antonio. “To now see him grow and be more skilled, athletic, and tougher than kids at his age group. It’s almost scary to see how great he really can be as long as he continues to put the work in, only time will tell.”
Just as his grandfather is on the sidelines coaching him and his teammates, so is his mother. When attending games, you can hear his grandmother in the stands proudly yelling, and his mother is right there on the sidelines in her role as a team mom, which is something that she wears as a badge of honor. On the sidelines during the game, you can see her giving support to not only Jayden, but to all of his teammates as well.“The best part of being a mother and team mom is getting to constantly be on the sidelines,” said Hernandez. “Being there to support him, coach him up, and help him when he is struggling emotionally. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Now playing in the 10U division, Jayden’s little league career is not too far from being over, and understanding how time flies, his mother is instilling the mantra of staying true to his path.
“The biggest life lesson I want him to learn, and not the hard way, is that life is hard. It will eat you up and spit you back out if you let it, but he’s built for it,” said Hernandez. “I tell him to walk your path, and no one else’s, stay true to who you are and do not give up on yourself.”
“I preach education, have a plan outside of playing sports but most importantly use this as a stepping stone, get your college paid for, and go from there,” she added.
When sitting back and reflecting about Jayden, his mother is often at a loss for words to describe how proud she is of her son both on and off the football field.
“Proud isn’t even the word when it comes to how I feel about Jayden,” said Hernandez. “I gave birth to him when I was 17 years old, and when I had him, no way I would have ever guessed he would be smart, talented, loving, and amazing the way he is.”
“On and off the field, he’s a leader which lets me know I’m doing something right,” she continued. “He’s so much more than a super-talented athlete,” expressed Hernandez.
Growing and evolving in sports along with being a great student, Jayden’s maturity is setting himself up to be another student-athlete to become successful on the next levels as numerous players have done before him.
“Not a whole lot has changed besides his maturity,” says his grandmother, Judy Ellis. “He’s always been naturally talented but now has added the benefit of maturity and experience. He is more of a calculated reactive player now, the biggest change for me is to see him go from a football athlete to an athlete.”
