My name is Zach B. On December 1, 2013 I was given the opportunity and honor to be the first kid to hit the “Keep Pounding” drum before the Panthers game kickoff! This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will remember forever! It all started on a cold but sunny Sunday. It was perfect football weather. I traveled down to Charlotte with my coach, dad, and friend. Once we arrived to Charlotte, the fun began!
It started out downtown at the Fuel Up to Play 60 kids combine. We had a lot of fun playing games, meeting new people, and most of all, passing out milk! As they say “When you’re having fun, time flies!” After the combine we walked to the Panther’s stadium. We walked around to a special entrance and waited for a girl named Kate. When Kate came she guided us through the stadium right onto the field! Once I took one step on the field, I was amazed!
Being on the field is a whole different feeling. I was so overwhelmed by all of it. We walked over to the Keep Pounding drum. The drum was so big! I was half nervous and half excited. Kate gave me all my directions and I was ready to go. We had some spare minutes to walk around and have fun. After a funny mascot football game it was my turn to go!
I walked onto the twenty yard line feeling so jittery. A camera man came and aimed his camera right at me. I looked one last time at my coach, dad, and friend Alex and knew I was ready. All of a sudden my name was called out all over the stadium and my picture was on the Jumbotron! I yelled and screamed to get the fans roaring. After that I hit the drum four times. The sound of the drum echoing around was awesome! I was in the moment…that moment was just amazing but yet so hard to explain.
I walked off the field and over to my group. We were all so happy and excited! Kate walked us to our seats, which had an incredible view, to watch the game! I said goodbye and thanks for all of her help. I was still amazed by it all; Sir Purr behind me, my name all over the stadium, and being the first kid to pound the drum.
Before I end this I would like to thank Fuel Up to Play 60, the Southeast Dairy Association, my family, Coach McHenry and the Panthers for this once in a lifetime opportunity! I will remember this moment forever! Go Panthers! Fuel Up to Play 60 is the best!
Zach B.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Team Member
North Carolina
7th Grade
That sounds awesome! You are lucky, and it sounds like you had fun!:)
That is so cool!!
Wow!!!!!
Awesome job! Way to represent the program in a fun way! Keep up the good work!
cool I would love to see my self up there pounding the drum for my favorite team. congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
i am so jeleose 😀
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
sounds like you had fun Zach
He means JEALOS !!!!!!!!!!! :]
who that was a big opprtinty
wow:)
EPIC!!!!!
nice and luckey
COOL
That sounds freakin AWESOME!!!!
sooooooo freaken cooooollllll
Nice!!!!!! : ) 😀
AWESOME!!!:):):):):):):):):):)!
I LOVE THE PANTHERS turn up