November 8, 2022
For two years, Axel Figueroa has asked Humble High School head football coach Marcus Schulz for a helmet.
On Saturday, standing at the front of the locker room behind Schulz with the November afternoon sun beaming through the windows, the Humble High senior got his wish.
He not only got a helmet but a complete uniform - cleats, pants, shoulder pads and a No. 55 jersey. It was his.
Due to medical reasons, Axel was never cleared to play football but had spent his entire senior year being with the team every game as a manager. Now, he was getting his gridiron moment.
“It was priceless,” Schulz said about the moment of telling Figueroa he would be suiting up. “When I first explained it to him he didn’t fully understand but when we took him over to the locker and showed him his helmet and shoulder pads, he then really realized he was going to get to suit up.
“To get to see that and for our kids to see that it’s more than football.”
With mere seconds left in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against Beaumont United, and the Wildcats with one more play, Figueroa’s number was called.
Through the booming speakers of Turner Stadium, the public address announcer gave Figueroa an introduction fit for the NFL. In response, the entire sideline and fans in the stands roared in cheers as Figueroa jogged out to the huddle.
Once in place, the ball was snapped and handed to Figueroa. With a convoy of teammates surrounding him, seniors Sedrick Howard and Damarion Collins both pointed into the air as Figueroa crossed the goal line.
Figueroa lifted the football into the air with his left hand and the celebration was on as he was mobbed by the entire Humble football team in the back of the end zone.
“We try to teach our kids there is more to life than just football,” Schulz said. “Having the opportunity to make his entire day, week, year and life and to be able to get him on the field and let his dreams come true and go score a touchdown, it was awesome.”
Figueroa will now end his high school football career with one carry for 15 yards and a touchdown.
As Schulz was preparing to tell Figueroa about suiting up prior to the game, he paused for a second as the emotion started to well up. He pounded his fists together and gave him the news.
For the longtime football coach, this moment and day was special.
“That’s what we’re here for, this is the coaching profession,” Schulz said. “It’s more than coaching. It’s helping to build men and to give kids opportunities that they may not get in any other situation or avenue. It’s just a part of coaching and a great thing we get to do in this profession.”
