5 months after death of 16-year-old teammate, Dekaney HS football coach teaches life lesson to squad

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s almost hard to breathe in the sizzling heat, but anchor Greg Bailey watched Dekaney High School’s football players laugh and joke as they prepared for their morning workout.

“Make it fun. Everybody out here loves this. Not everybody can come out here and do this,” Nicholas Townsend said. The workouts seem to mean more for a tight-knit Wildcats team.

Head coach Anthony Williams knows he’s providing more than structure and discipline. After Dekaney player Zion Lampley was shot and killed earlier this year, Williams offers his players a safe place to gather and grow together.

“When they know we love them like our own, and they love us like we’re their own, it transfers to the season, Williams said. “It also transfers to life off the field and the future for everyone in the program.

Dekaney’s players wore workout gear that reads “KAIZEN” across their chests, and “Get better every day.”

The second pillar of the program is “Umbutu.” Highly recruited linebacker Christian Nwosu explains it like this: “I am because we are. I am nothing without my brother. You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”

Coach Williams proudly tells he has 11 players who already have big-time college scholarship offers.

Keyshawn Williams explained the impact of seeing former players return to the program to share lessons they’ve learned as they move onto the next level: “It’s inspiring. They always come back. They tell us about colleges, how hard you have to work to get better.”

In the heat of the moment, the future waits.

Right now, the Wildcats are focused on one another, the young men they consider members of their own family.

“It makes me feel special. Just like my brothers and my dad are out here helping build me up to a different level, ” Tanook Hines said.