In Laurel, Mississippi, a remarkable story is unfolding on the high school football field. Defensive end Tripp Van Fossen and kicker Kruz McKee are teammates on the West Jones High School Mustangs football team, and they are proving that passion and determination can lead to significant success, regardless of size.
A photo captures their friendship perfectly, showing Van Fossen, who stands at a towering 6’3″, lifting McKee, who is only 5’3″, over his head in a celebration inspired by the movie The Lion King. McKee explained, “We decided on Simba, like in ‘Lion King’ where the animal holds up the little lion.” While McKee often faces skepticism about his place in football due to his smaller stature, he remains confident and focused on his goals. “I just don’t pay much attention to it,” he remarked about the occasional doubts from others.
McKee’s determination has roots in his upbringing. His mother, Kelley, describes him as having a natural drive: “He has always been determined, and people describe him as having grit.” Despite doubting his ability at first, McKee made the varsity team his sophomore year. Coach Corey Reynolds encouraged him when they first met. “I asked him, ‘Why didn’t you come out and play football?’ He said, ‘I’m too small.’ I said, ‘Says who?’” This exchange marked the beginning of McKee’s journey to confidence on the field.
His hard work paid off when an injury to the starting kicker opened up an opportunity for him. Initially nervous, he faced some struggles, missing his first kick. However, with encouragement from Reynolds, he learned to shake it off. “He told me to keep my head down and kick it,” McKee said, reminding himself that one mistake doesn’t define him.
McKee bounced back impressively, making 23 of his next 24 kicks during the regular season and adding two more in their playoff game. For Coach Reynolds, this success highlights the importance of opportunities in sports. “You have chances to do something. You got to go and earn it,” he noted.
Kruz McKee wants others to see that size is not a barrier to success. “I hope that people see that there’s no size too small,” he shared, crediting his achievements to a higher power, “God has done all this for me.” His story is a true testament to resilience, determination, and the spirit of young athletes everywhere.
