Players always have those ‘pregame rituals’ that everyone feels are just as important as the game, no matter the sport.

For GRC junior football player Nick Willoughby, his ritual is all about his mom, Mylissa Johnson.

“During warm-ups, she’ll come down and I’ll hop up on the fence, give her a hug, tell her I love her, and then just play,” says Willoughby. And play he does.

Through every game, he has played as hard as he can, recovering three fumbles for touchdowns in the Montgomery County game.

Willoughby had a lot to play for that game as his mom had surgery two days before.

“It was all for her and for the seniors,” he said.

About three months ago, his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and has not missed a game even after surgery. “Just her being there and after what she’s been through makes me play just for her,” says Willoughby.

His mom is definitely his number one supporter and her prioritizing to be at his games motivates him to be the best he can be on and off the field.

Since 2007, football has been a huge part of Willoughby’s life. He wants to continue his career in college and hopefully beyond.

“Playing as well as I have has really made me confident,” he says, “I don’t want the fans to think I’m just a fluke or ‘He just had a good game,’ I want them to know I can play that well consistently.”

Willoughby knows that he and his team are better than their record. The sport has built connections for him with everyone he’s played with as he’s gotten older, reflecting on the teams’ dynamic and character.

Everyone cares about his mom and what she’s going through, just as she cares about the team. They always want updates, they want to see her, give her hugs, or just say hi.

“She just had her first chemo and radiation last week and she is doing really well,” Willoughby says. “Through it all, she has never missed a game.”

His mom’s diagnosis has brought them closer together and really made him step up his game. He says, “Everything I do is for her, and that’s all I am really worried about.”

Nick has a slipped disc in his back but hopes to be back on the field for the last home game Friday.

Even through a difficult season, he has football in perspective. “I just play my game,” he says, “and play it for her.”