Gratton’s character stood out even on the sideline
By Steve Williams
Jackson Gratton showed his character some 100 miles away from Seymour High School last fall.
The Eagles’ quarterback and team captain didn’t get to do it on the field during the game at Sullivan East. He did it a different way. He stood near his teammates on the sideline. They knew he was there for them.
That was the night Seymour ended its 24-game losing streak.
It also was the week Seymour’s school was on Fall Break. Instead of heading north like the football team, many of its students may have travelled south to soak up warmer weather and have fun.
Gratton had suffered a knee injury the week before in the Eagles’ game against Fulton. It would have been easy for him to stay back and enjoy Fall Break.
But there was no way he was going to miss the game and not support his team.
“I’m always going to be here for my team,” said Gratton that night, standing under a portable cover as rain fell. “And with or without me, I’m still going to support them through thick and thin. And in losses always. Today we come out with a win, which I’m very proud of them for.”
Joel Hall, Seymour’s new athletic director, had seen Jackson come up through high school.
“Jackson Gratton is the ultimate teammate, the person that wants the team to succeed no matter what,” said Hall.
“He has played a number of positions for Seymour, including H-back and quarterback. His whole goal was to see them succeed and he was willing to help with whatever they needed, even following injuries. He did everything he could to press on and to be present; and again to be that leader even when he wasn’t on the field.
“I’ve grown to know Jackson from when he was a scrawny freshman all the way up to just a leader on the team as a senior,” added Hall.
“He’s planning to go to Huntington College and play football for them. And with his work ethic, I know he will be a success for them in the future.”
Huntington College is in Montgomery, Ala. The Hawks compete in NCAA Division III and are members of the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS).
