Aiden Bellotti has always loved football.
“I would just watch with my dad, Sunday Night Football, all the time,” says the Moon junior. “And my friends were like, ‘hey, you should join football. It's really fun, you should join.’
So as he entered high school at Moon, he signed up to be the team's manager.
“I probably just liked helping out the team a lot, always being there for them,” he says. “They are like friends to me.”
Still, he was looking for more.
Despite never playing previously, he decided he wanted his own helmet and pads.
Head coach Ryan Linn encouraged baby steps to start.
“Listen, let's just let him be a part of our offseason condition,” Linn says. “And he did. I don't think the kid has missed a day in two years.”
Now a junior, Bellotti has worked to learn the ins and outs of the game... and how to take a hit.”
“It was a big adjustment because I'm not used to getting hit by guys twice the size of me,” he says.
But more importantly, those along for the ride have noticed big-time change.
“His overall wellbeing is just more positive and energetic,” Linn says. “He's more social. I had him in class in 8th grade. (He) didn't say much, but now he's sociable with the guys, he has a great relationship with our captains.”
It's a lot to accomplish in two short years as a football player, but one major goal lies ahead.
“My dream is to get varsity reps on the field,” Bellotti says. “I wanted to try my hardest to make sure that I got to that goal, and I'm still kind of working on it.”
It’s something Linn says may not be too far out of reach.
“We always talk about setting goals, and what do you want to achieve,” Linn says. “For him, that's his ultimate goal. I think he's working towards being a kid that, we'll be able to find a place for him over the next year or so.”
Regardless of where his playing career takes him, it's the impact of joining a team that will last long after he hangs up the helmet
“It gave me an opportunity to make a lot of friends,” Bellotti says. “They enjoy my company.
They invite me to a lot of things, and we just have a really fun time together.”