In addition to wearing a jersey embroidered with the number 66 on Friday nights, Campbell Graves wears an Insulin Pump clipped to his left side.
Diagnosed with Childhood Diabetes – a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin – the Sylva Bay sophomore defensive end plays as though he’s like every other high school kid.
“It’s not that big of a deal [for me],” said Graves. “People sometimes see it as a big deal, but I try to act like I’m a normal kid like everyone else. I just do my thing.”
Like last Friday night against Clinton Christian Academy.
Facing a possible sixth-straight loss on the season early in the fourth quarter, Graves found an opening in the opposing offensive line, raised his hand and blocked a Warriors’ punt near midfield. Teammate Logan Blackwell scooped up the blocked punt and returned it to Clinton Christian’s 13-yard line.
“It was huge, and we didn’t even have a block on,” said SBA head coach Terry Underwood. “His job was to box, but he individually saw that he could get there and did. It was a huge play in the game.”
The play led to Sylva Bay’s game-winning touchdown and first win of the year.
“Me and our other defensive end [Logan Blackwell] got close on a previous punt,” said the sophomore. “I told him this time I was going to get it. He told me to go do it, so I did.”
He also recorded three tackles for a loss in Sylva Bay’s 12-7 win.
“We had a good week of practice, and we were confident that we could pull out a win,” Graves added. “It’s been a long time since we’ve pulled one out so were ready to go to work and get a win.”
Like most kids his age, Graves has played football since he was old enough to join a league. It began in Seminary where he grew up and now continues at Sylva Bay as a resident of Taylorsville.
“It’s a blessing from God that I’m able to play like everyone else, despite my condition,” said Graves. “But honestly, to me, it’s not that big of a struggle.”
So what happens when his blood sugar drops? The answer comes from the Coca-Cola product whose slogan reads, “power through.”
“[If my sugar drops in practice or during a game] I just drink some Powerade,” Graves answered, “and in about 15 minutes I’m ready to go.”
Graves is this week’s Sports601 Jasper County Player of the Week.
