Every Taylor home football game has one thing in common: “the party.”
No matter the score or situation, the Trojan sideline is bouncing and chanting. Whether it be “Jump Around” by House of Pain or chanting “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, there is never a quiet moment on the Taylor sideline.
But one player stands out from the rest: No. 43. Senior defensive back Seth Griswold is the one starting the chants and rallying his team and the fans for support.
“Seth is one of those guys that just oozes positivity and encouragement,” head coach Aaron Mingo said. “He always ignites the sidelines and gets everyone loud.”
Griswold contributes even more off the field. As a senior, he says he has really tried to pour into the newcomers to the team. Griswold reminisced about his time as a freshman when seniors on the team poured into him and he felt like it was his job to pour into underclassmen this year.
One underclassman in particular who has been affected positively by Griswold’s leadership is sophomore defensive back David Wells.
“While Seth doesn’t play as much, he knows the defense front and back,” Wells said. “When I didn’t know what to do, I would sit next to him during film sessions and he would help me. He always does stuff like that for everyone on the team.”
Griswold is a teammate that every coach wants in their locker room. He gets the players hyped and pumped for game day, but he also has a work ethic that is unmatched. Even if he may not get playing time, Griswold puts forth 100% effort on every rep no matter what.
While he may not start on defense or offense, Griswold does make an impact on special teams, earning that spot through hard work and dedication.
“Enthusiasm on fire beats talent on ice, and Seth is someone who just breathes that out into everything he does,” Mingo said. “He’s the kind of guy that head coaches love to have in their locker room. He’s the most incredible teammate.”
Life after football is something that has always been at the forefront of Griswold’s mind. Knowing that there are no kick returners to stop after college has given him time to prepare for the future.
After graduation, Griswold hopes to have a seamless transition from his role on the field to a position where he can channel his passion for sports into coaching or sports administration. He sees the next chapter of his journey as an opportunity to not only continue inspiring those around him but also to contribute to the broader realm of athletics with his immeasurable effort and uplifting spirit.
“I want to continue to inspire people, and if I can do that within the realm of sports at the same time, I would love it,” Griswold said. “Football will always be a part of me and I will always love Taylor.”
As the final whistle echoed through Turner Stadium on Senior Day, one undeniable truth remained—the heart and soul of every Taylor home football game is embodied in the infectious energy radiating from No. 43.
In the realm of football, where the battle is waged not only on the field but in the hearts of the players, Griswold stands as a living testament to the transformative power of leadership, dedication and an unwavering spirit. He is the most incredible teammate.
