Horned Frogs First Person: Griffin Kell
7/13/2023 8:24:00 PM | Football
He was destined to play for TCU and is about more than just game-winning field goals
(as told to Lily Margaret Greenway)
Two years ago, I found a picture of myself I had drawn as a kid. I was wearing a TCU jersey with the number 39. Jason Phillips was my favorite TCU football player, and he wore 39, which was also my grandpa's number in high school. I grew up going to TCU games with my dad, uncle and grandpa, who are all alumni. When I was a little kid who dreamed of playing football at TCU, I never knew it was actually going to happen. I got the opportunity to play here a week before signing day, with no scholarship on the line. It was a risk my family and I took, but even with all of the ups and downs, it has been such a blessing. And when I got to TCU, I was given the number 39.
Every practice I look around and think, "dang, I'm actually here." I know how big of a deal it is to my family that I am at TCU. I want to do well for myself and for them. They hold season tickets. Growing up, my dad and I always talked about all the players coming on the team each season. Today, he's still interested in the new players and he likes to know what's going on.
A lot of the time, people only see me as a kicker, but I'm just a normal dude. I love the outdoors. Fishing, hunting and golfing are my main hobbies. I feel like I'm a pretty good fisherman, and I put a lot of time into it. I'm goofy, and I love making others happy. It's so important to have people in your life who make you laugh and who you're always comfortable around. My core is being around good people. As a student-athlete, it can be hard to meet other students and alumni because I'm around the same group most of the time, but I work on being friends with everyone. I'm blessed with an amazing family, girlfriend, team and coaching staff. They all help me grow in so many ways. My first few years here, I lacked confidence, but the culture of the team and the way we play the game helped me. We all have each other's backs. Jordy (Sandy) has been my holder since freshman year, so I've really gotten to know and trust him. We work together on the field, but we're also roommates, and we play golf together.
I'm really close with my high school kicking coach, Jaden Oberkron, who was also a TCU kicker. He helped me get recruited and decide where I should go. We both love the Lord, love to kick, and love to fish. He's always been there for me. When I'm struggling, lacking confidence or having a bad day, I text him and he tells me not to overthink it. He's been in my life since I was a high school freshman, and I know we'll be friends for life.
I never take for granted how blessed I am to be here. Yes, I made that kick at Baylor, which was pretty cool, especially growing up a Frog fan, but next time I could miss. I have a lot of work to do to be successful, and a lot of field goals left to make if I want to beat Jaden!
Two years ago, I found a picture of myself I had drawn as a kid. I was wearing a TCU jersey with the number 39. Jason Phillips was my favorite TCU football player, and he wore 39, which was also my grandpa's number in high school. I grew up going to TCU games with my dad, uncle and grandpa, who are all alumni. When I was a little kid who dreamed of playing football at TCU, I never knew it was actually going to happen. I got the opportunity to play here a week before signing day, with no scholarship on the line. It was a risk my family and I took, but even with all of the ups and downs, it has been such a blessing. And when I got to TCU, I was given the number 39.
Every practice I look around and think, "dang, I'm actually here." I know how big of a deal it is to my family that I am at TCU. I want to do well for myself and for them. They hold season tickets. Growing up, my dad and I always talked about all the players coming on the team each season. Today, he's still interested in the new players and he likes to know what's going on.
A lot of the time, people only see me as a kicker, but I'm just a normal dude. I love the outdoors. Fishing, hunting and golfing are my main hobbies. I feel like I'm a pretty good fisherman, and I put a lot of time into it. I'm goofy, and I love making others happy. It's so important to have people in your life who make you laugh and who you're always comfortable around. My core is being around good people. As a student-athlete, it can be hard to meet other students and alumni because I'm around the same group most of the time, but I work on being friends with everyone. I'm blessed with an amazing family, girlfriend, team and coaching staff. They all help me grow in so many ways. My first few years here, I lacked confidence, but the culture of the team and the way we play the game helped me. We all have each other's backs. Jordy (Sandy) has been my holder since freshman year, so I've really gotten to know and trust him. We work together on the field, but we're also roommates, and we play golf together.
I'm really close with my high school kicking coach, Jaden Oberkron, who was also a TCU kicker. He helped me get recruited and decide where I should go. We both love the Lord, love to kick, and love to fish. He's always been there for me. When I'm struggling, lacking confidence or having a bad day, I text him and he tells me not to overthink it. He's been in my life since I was a high school freshman, and I know we'll be friends for life.
I never take for granted how blessed I am to be here. Yes, I made that kick at Baylor, which was pretty cool, especially growing up a Frog fan, but next time I could miss. I have a lot of work to do to be successful, and a lot of field goals left to make if I want to beat Jaden!
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