In sports, there’s a saying that goes “offense gets the glory, but defense wins the games”. If that same saying was applied to a family, I can imagine Mom being offense, and Dad being defense. Just as the offensive scores in a game, the stock phrase “Hi Mom” will always make the weekly highlights; and rightfully so. Yet when fathers are present, everyone wins, as they provide structure and stability such as that of a championship defense.
Throughout this decade of highlighting student athletes in Northeast Florida, I’ve gotten to know several fathers who’ve made tremendous impacts in their kid’s lives. Often times, Fathers are forgotten, or even absent from the picture that student athletes paint in their sports careers. Yet these Fathers have not only been present, but have paved the way for their children as student athletes. There’s so many to salute, but on this Father’s day we highlight just a couple.
When I started Duval Sports and decided to bring much needed coverage to youth, and middle school football, there was a Father who I’d see at every game. He was on the sideline cheering on his son Jacob Corley in youth football for the Arlington Seminoles. He recorded middle school games with his video camera and would send me clips of his son’s touchdowns. Jason Corley was proud of his son, and supported him at every turn.
Yet Jason didn’t just support his son, he wanted to support as many kids as he could. So when Duval Sports decided to hold an awards ceremony for the second annual Middle School Top 50 in 2018, Jason was right there to lend his support. His company, All-Star Commercial Services became the lead sponsor for the event until we stopped holding it in due to covid in 2020.
Because of Jason, future prep stars in Northeast Florida were recognized for their middle school accomplishments on the field. This would prepare many student athletes for the Friday night lights, and Saturday morning kickoffs in college to come.
Jason continued to support his son Jacob who went on to be a standout football player at First Coast, and Atlantic Coast High Schools. Even while battling cancer, Jason never missed a game, and was there to watch his son walk across the stage for graduation.
Sadly, Jason is no longer with us, passing away in December of 2023. However, he left an indelible mark on the middle school football landscape here in Northeast Florida through his support and commitment to recognizing their achievements.
A Dad’s proudest achievement is when they get an opportunity to boast about their children’s achievements. And no Dad exemplified this fact better than Walter Simmons II. His son, Walter Simmons III or Tre as he is affectionately known, was a star quarterback at Oakleaf middle and high schools from 2016-2021.
Walter would share every touchdown Tre threw or ran from middle school to high school with us on social media (there were a lot). Not only that, but Walter tagged us in clips of his son training, or pictures of college visits, and any recognition that Tre had received. It was the blueprint for the “social media Dad”. Walter was not the first Dad to promote his son on social media, but in the decade of covering sports in Northeast Florida, I can confidently say that he was the best.
East Carolina walter simmons III Keep chopping wood I can’t wait to see you @I1Walter @DuvalSports @Jaguars @CS2SA #onepiratenation pic.twitter.com/9tmsvXyPyt
— Walter Simmons (@ninetywalt) March 5, 2021
What made Walter the best was his consistency, something that all good Father’s posses. A reassuring presence to let his children know that he supported them no matter what, and to let the world know that his son was the best.
Walter kept that consistency even when tragedy struck his family in 2018, when his wife and mother of his two children (Latarsha Schwanda Simmons) passed away. The daunting task of suddenly becoming a single parent didn’t deter Walter as a devoted Dad, however. He routinely showed up as the number one motivator and encourager in sports, cheerleading, and any other extra-curricular activities for his children.
Walter would be there when Tre signed his letter of intent to play college football. He remained there, sharing practice film and articles of Tre at Eastern Carolina, and Bethune Cookman. He actively and tirelessly worked behind the scenes to help his son find a home when he entered the transfer portal. He was there with care and consistency.
Walter continued being a consistent presence as a Father even when he learned of his cancer diagnosis in 2023. He battled through chemo and procedures to be there for his children. Before his passing in April of 2024, Walter got to enjoy seeing Tre dawn the maroon and gold of his alma mater Bethune Cookman University. He got the chance to share his son’s dazzling touchdowns on the field in the games. He got the chance to show the world, what a supportive Father looks like.
Although Jason, and Walter are not here with us physically, their spirit is embodied in the Father who donates money to the soccer team from the family business. Or the Dad who travels to sports camps, and posts pictures and videos to assist in recruiting. These are the special Fathers that play the crucial role as defenders in this game called life. And it’s because of them, that we all win.
