Sep 2019

Casey

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I met Jody, several years ago and we immediately connected over our shared name, a love for exercise, and our kids that were around the same ages. As good friends do, we talk a lot about our families. We have prayed each other through difficult times and cheered each other on through success. (Also she’s adorable – see photo).

Jody’s son Casey plays football. She casually mentioned that he was getting varsity playing time as a freshman at Lake Oswego High School. And then I started reading about him in the Oregonian. Casey has gone on to become one of Oregon’s best football players. Last year, as a junior, he helped lead his team to an Oregon 6A football state championship. Along the way, he took home basically every prestigious award football offers: Three Rivers League Offensive Player of the Year, Oregon 6A All State First Team, USA Today All State First Team, Oregon 6A Offensive Player of the Year, and Oregon Sports Award Prep Football Player of the Year. He also secured a full ride to play football at University of California Berkeley. Did I mention that was all in his JUNIOR year?!? Clearly Casey has an unusual talent.

What I like best about Casey though is his humility. There is not a shred of arrogance or “I think I’m such a big deal” about Casey. It’s like he doesn’t really comprehend just how good he is. Football is obviously important to him, but he has managed to make it just one aspect of who he is. Humility is so attractive. Well done Casey (and Jody and Matt)!

Casey wanted an urban photo session that highlighted Portland’s bridges and we had the perfect night to do it. Football season was not quite in full swing and the summer light was magical. We met on Portland’s south waterfront and worked our way through the area, laughing along the way. Casey is the real deal: smart, funny, polite, and humble. It will be fun to continue to cheer him on, wherever his football career takes him. Have the best senior year Casey! I’m a big fan.