Senior Byron “Memphis” Spraggins and his father Byron Spraggins walk across the field on Oct. 21 for Senior Night at Billy Henderson Stadium. Byron has played a large role in Memphis’ life not only in football, but through everything. “My dad is my main supporter. He has not missed a game, especially my senior year. He comes and supports me a lot,” Memphis said. “He played football, and he was on the winning team. He wants us to win and he knows what it takes to win. He just pushes me — constantly pushes me.” Photo by Julie Alpaugh.
Update: The ODYSSEY Media Group will provide viewers with weekly stylized profiles that center on people in the Athens community telling their own stories.
By OLIVIA RIPPS – Sports Editor
Varsity linebacker Byron “Memphis” Spraggins, a senior, has been playing football since he was young and his love for the game is strongly influenced by his father.
The lights shine on all 61 players wearing red, all holding their helmets.
It is Friday night.
It is game day.
Between the 61 players, there is number 48, the number senior Byron “Memphis” Spraggins wears.
The stands slowly fill one by one.
The game is packed with students, teachers and fans.
It is hard to pick people out in the pack, but Memphis knows somewhere in the deep crowd, his father Byron Spraggins is there.
Just like he has been at every game since Memphis was nine.
“He just pushes me — constantly pushes me,” Memphis said.
His dad knows what it takes to win. His dad wants him to win. But more than anything, his dad wants the best for him.
He wanted the best for Memphis, so they now live in Athens where he believes it is safer.
He wanted the best for Memphis, so he has not missed a game since he was nine.
He wanted the best for Memphis, so he shared his passion and pushed him. A lot.
It has been four years since Memphis moved from Memphis, Tennessee. Since he was a freshman on the Clarke Central High School varsity football team. And it has been years of constant support from his father.
“My dad has not missed a game, especially my senior year,” Memphis said.
But it’s almost over. The Friday nights in Billy Henderson Stadium, the daily after school practices — high school football is almost over.
But it isn’t all over. Byron Spraggins is not done supporting his son.
“I want him to be a productive citizen in this world of ours. I am going to support him however I need to support him,” his dad said.
But for now, it is Friday night. It’s is not just any Friday night.
It is game day.
It is senior night.
Memphis stands, wearing number 48, ready to walk across the field for one of his last high school games. He looks in the stands, but this time his father is not sitting in the crowd.
This time, Byron Sr. is standing right next to him.
