DALLAS — As a member of Duncanville’s back-to-back state champion football team, Colin Simmons was one of the top recruits in the country.
Now, arguably college football’s most talented freshman, the eyes of Texas are upon him.
However, Simmons says everyone’s looking at the wrong person.
“The cameras can get off of me and go to my little brother who deserves it,” Simmons said. “His story needs to get out there.”
His brother, 9-year-old Clay Roberts, is autistic and Simmons’ everything.
“That’s literally my heart and I’d do anything for him,” said Simmons.
Roberts requires a lot of expensive, specialized care. The kind of care that’s neither accessible nor affordable for low-income families in their neighborhoods of Duncanville and South Dallas.
That’s why, this summer, Simmons and his mom created a non-profit called “Clay’s Color Crew,” honoring Roberts’ love of color.
They hope to provide care and resources to those with autism or special needs in poor and underserved communities in Texas and around the world. The non-profit’s first project is a partnership with Ken Womack, a Texas artist, who will donate a portion of his art sales to Clay’s Color Crew.
To further that mission, Simmons enrolled in a class that teaches how to improve the lives of those with autism.
He’s only 18 years old, an NFL hopeful and yet his brother’s future is his priority.
“It don’t matter how many awards, how many trophies, how many Super Bowls, how many championships I get,” Simmons said. “At the end of the day, my little brother is my reason why. So, if I can do this for him for however long God gave me this ability to do this for, it’s going to go all towards him.”
The greatest athletes often possess an extraordinary, almost supernatural gift. Simmons is no exception, time after time showcasing his incredible ability to love.
For more information on Clay’s Color Crew, visit here.