Written by Cianna Jay // Photo by Balazs Balassa
For the last three years, sophomore running back Will and his brother, graduate student and defensive back Grant Fitzwilliam, have played on the Harding Bisons football team together, an experience that has been full of achievements. Both brothers have been awarded the American All-GAC award, and recently, Grant was named a Campbell Trophy Semifinalist.
“The Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership,” an article on the Harding sports website said.
The Fitzwilliams grew up with football as an integral part of their lives, from playing football in their backyard in Sterlington, Louisiana, to spending time around the locker room with their football coach father and later playing on the same team at their high school.
“We would play games pretty much every Saturday during football season,” Grant said. “I think we had like 100 plays in our playbook. … We would play the [Thanksgiving] Turkey Bowl. Ice Bowl anytime it got cold. … Dad would make up bowl games and play in the front yard. So those were some fun times.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the brothers were preparing to play on the same team again since Will was an incoming Harding freshman. Because gyms and weight rooms were closed, the Fitzwilliams had to train together on their own. Will said this experience brought them closer to each other.
“We were at the house together all the time, and we just had to make up crazy workouts to do,” Will said. “We would get in the neighbor’s yard; we’d [play] tug of war against each other. We’d be blasting Jeremy Camp, listening to him in the garage. We were … just kind of making our own workouts and pushing each other to be better.”
Will and Grant described the spiritual growth that began connecting them during this time and has continued through their time on the team.
“I think we’ve been able to grow a whole lot as men of God because of each other,” Grant said. “I’m really thankful for how I’ve grown because of Will. … We share football, but really, we share our love for the Lord above all. … That’s been really special to have that together and to grow together in that. And I think we’re better men because of each other. And Harding football is a big part of that.”
Will shared a similar perspective on how playing on the same team has impacted their relationship.
“It’s a blessing to be able to play on the same team, be in the spot we’re in,” Will said. “I think it’s definitely something we’ll always have good memories of.”
