It’s always fun watching kids you know play sports at a high level, and I’m reminded of this because high school football season started this weekend.

I don’t think there are any prep football players in my neighborhood right now, but there used to be. Thomas Hennigan grew up in my cul-de-sac. He scored 50 touchdowns for Northwest Guilford High, was the all-time receptions leader for Appalachian State and spent some time with the Minnesota Vikings.

He made our All Quarter-Century High School Football Team, which was announced last Sunday. That was cool, because I got to walk down the street and tell his parents, Joe and Lisa, the news.

It’s inspiring to see parents and friends and entire communities take pride when one of their own finds his or her skill and passion and gets an opportun

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