From Sidelines to Championships: Mason’s Football Journey
Six-year-old Mason first discovered football not through his own ambition, but through admiration for his big brother Maurice. “I used to watch him from the sidelines,” Mason recalls. “He made it look so cool, and he had lots of friends. I wanted that too!”
Like many young athletes, Mason’s first experience with organized sports came with challenges. The bright stadium lights, the roar of the crowd, and the physical nature of tackle football initially felt overwhelming. But Mason found creative solutions that worked for him – discovering that his helmet helped dim the lights and muffle the noise, while special headphones on the bench made the environment more comfortable.
The Beauty of Structure and Teamwork
What truly drew Mason to football wasn’t just the excitement of the game, but its structure and clarity. “I really like football because it makes sense,” he explains. “Everyone has a job and when you do your part, the play works. I don’t have to guess what to do because the coach tells us.”
This systematic approach to teamwork has allowed Mason to excel on the field, particularly through his exceptional ability to spot patterns and help his teammates strategize. His analytical skills have contributed significantly to the Eastvale Tigers’ impressive success with two Super Bowl Championships with hopes for a third consecutive title.
Building Connections Beyond Words
For Mason, football has become more than just a sport: it’s a unique form of communication and connection. “Being on the team is fun even though talking to people can be tricky for me,” he shares. “Football is our way of hanging out without saying a lot.”
The physical aspects of the game provide comfort too. The weight of the gear reminds him of his weighted blanket at home, creating a sense of security and grounding during games.
Growth Through Community
Since joining the Eastvale Tigers, Mason has experienced tremendous personal growth. The team has become his “second family,” sharing adventures, pizza dinners, and travel experiences for away games. These relationships have encouraged him to step outside his comfort zone, practicing conversation and even working on eye contact – using a helpful trick his sister taught him about looking at foreheads instead.
Mason particularly loves the team chants, which he describes as making his “brain buzz in the best way.” The combination of ritual, rhythm, and collective energy perfectly suits his appreciation for structure and patterns.
Growth Through Community
Since joining the Eastvale Tigers, Mason has experienced tremendous personal growth. The team has become his “second family,” sharing adventures, pizza dinners, and travel experiences for away games. These relationships have encouraged him to step outside his comfort zone, practicing conversation and even working on eye contact – using a helpful trick his sister taught him about looking at foreheads instead.
Mason particularly loves the team chants, which he describes as making his “brain buzz in the best way.” The combination of ritual, rhythm, and collective energy perfectly suits his appreciation for structure and patterns.
Finding Where You Belong
The most powerful aspect of Mason’s story is his discovery of belonging. “The best part of all is when I am on the field. I feel like I belong,” he reflects. “I used to only feel that at home… Now I feel it with my team too. And that is awesome.”
Celebrating the Eastvale Tigers
The Eastvale Tigers exemplify that community sports should be inclusive, supportive, and focused on bringing out each player’s unique strengths. Under their guidance, Mason hasn’t just become a better football player, but he’s gained confidence, formed lasting friendships, and found a place where he’s valued and celebrated.
As the Tigers prepare for their third championship run, they carry with them the knowledge that their greatest victory isn’t measured in trophies, but in the growth, confidence, and sense of belonging they’ve fostered in players like Mason.
For more information, visit Eastvale Tigers. And congratulations to Mason and the entire Eastvale Tigers organization for showing us what it means to build a truly inclusive team where every player can thrive.
Rosie Lewis is the Corporate Marketing Manager at The Lewis Group of Companies. A Claremont native who enjoys hiking, yoga, and developing her green thumb, Rosie also appreciates quality alone time.