“Go Wildcats”! Carson Howell Signs to Play Bethel University Football
A journey that began years ago when Bolivar Central High School’s Carson Howell first played flag football at the age of seven, reached a milestone as he took a chair at the table where his parents, Ashley and Jason Howell, and his high school football coach, Hayden Williams, sat alongside him as Carson signed to become a Bethel University Wildcat. The moment was one that not only family came to celebrate, but so many other people who have been a part of Carson’s journey as he continues his football career in college.
It is expected for parents to have high praises for their child, but they were not the only ones who have watched Carson grow over the years on the field as well as off the field. His parents were not alone in sharing praises about a young man who is described as having a “strong work ethic” in everything he does; a “passion for football”; and has a supportive and encouraging love for his teammates.
At the beginning of the signing, Mr. Howell spoke first, getting a little emotional, as he noted God was responsible for all of Carson’s achievements.
“Everything has been made possible through God . . . His talent . . . His work ethic . . . Everything,” said Mr. Howell who continued as he thanked the coaches who had a strong and positive impact on his son’s life. “I want to thank the coaching staff, present, future, past . . . I want to thank family and friends for being here. I am proud of him, and I want to thank you all.”
When it was Carson’s time to speak, he too thanked God first. He then thanked his family, all his coaches from over the years, and of course, he did not forget his baseball and football teammates for all the memories. At that, Carson Howell signed, looked up and proclaimed, “Go Wildcats”!
It may have been a surprise to many, but it was no surprise to Carson that he would choose to continue playing football instead of baseball in college. Each of his head football coaches over the years recognized something special about Carson and had a bit of “skin in the game” hoping he would pursue the sport in the future.
“Football just came more natural to me. It is not as frustrating to me as baseball,” said Carson.
“He caught the bug for football when he was seven years old. He has always been a baseball guy, but football has become his passion,” said Mr. Howell, who played football when he was a student at Fayette Academy in Somerville, Tennessee. “He is not the tallest, but he has always had the most drive. The majority of the coaches I think have always picked up on that and gave him the shot and opportunity and gave him the trust to be the best ball player.”
Mrs. Howell shared what she loves about watching her son play football.
“His Drive. What you see, Carson has done that himself. Nobody has pushed him. He gives 150 percent all on his own. That is just him,” said Mrs. Howell.
His parents agreed that when it comes to football, Carson does his homework.
“He is not one of those that when he leaves the football practice, he’s done enough with it. He sits down and looks at the playbook and studies. He knows everything there is to football. I give credit to Coach Oneil. He taught him how to dig in,” said Mr. Howell.
James Fender, who has coached football for more than 20 years, coached Carson in the fifth and sixth grades.
“I’ve seen two special kids come through this school that I thought personally were special and he was one of them. The passion. The dedication. The God given talent that the kid had was something I’d never seen.”
Shawn ONeil coached Carson in middle school baseball and football.
“The difference between him and a lot of kids is he stuck with it and no matter what anybody else said or what they thought. He stuck to his guns and believed, and he worked hard to get where he is at and that is what I am most proud, that he worked hard. I had him for two years and enjoyed every moment of it,” said Coach O’Neil.
Carson played both baseball and football all four years of high school. Hayden Williams coached Carson in football.
“He has really grown a lot over the past four years. He played a lot defensively his freshman year. Started playing quarterback more his sophomore year. Really struggled and then kind of came into his own these past two years,” said Coach Williams. “That is a tribute to his work ethic, how he carries himself, and how he comes in every day ready to work.”
Carson shared what he loves about football.
“Football just came more natural to me. It is not as frustrating to me as baseball,” said Carson who credits his growth as a football player to his coaches. “Coach Williams taught me there is a time to joke around and laugh and there is a time to put your head down and work. With him, I was able to do that. He was like having an older brother. Coach O’Neill is like the wise old man. He has helped me through everything. If I ever needed any advice about football, I would just go and talk to him. If I ever just want to hang out, I go talk to him. He has been a good friend. Coach Fender used to tell me I could be a good football player and told me I had to work. I worked and now we are here.”
Here for now is Carson going to play football for Bethel University. Although he is looking forward to being a Wildcat, he is going to miss the teammates he is leaving behind.
“I am definitely going to miss my teammates. I just hope these guys keep working it out and never like get discouraged because we had some rough years while I was here. I don’t want them to keep getting low. I hope they stay up as a team. I love these guys. They are all like family to me. I cherish every moment I got to spend with them,” said Carson, who shared he will not be leaving everyone behind. “I get to go and play with Ky’Juan [Fentress] who has been like my ride or die guy. He has been like my brother since we were little. He is going to Bethel with me and that is going to be real fun.”
A lot of people have invested in Carson’s life and the result is a young man who has a promising future. His parents want him to excel on the football field and have a dream for him off the field.
“He is kind of leaning towards sports management/sports administration. I hope he finds something he really loves to do as much as football, and he will make a career in that whatever it may be,” said Mr. Howell.
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