Not long ago the News-Optimist ran a story about Wade Favel, a young soccer player from Poundmaker Cree Nation who was in a tournament in Saskatoon. The story focused on how the sport of soccer has made a positive influence on Wade鈥檚 life.听
Since that story ran, his father Greg Tootoosis has contacted us again to tell us how his son鈥�2 sports involvement has had a positive impact on Favel鈥檚 nephews (who are Tootoosis鈥檚 grandsons). They are now following Wade鈥檚 footsteps in pursuing soccer themselves.
One is Sean Tootoosis, age nine, who attends school in Prince Albert. His soccer jersey, fittingly enough, has the number 鈥�22.鈥� His parents are Michael and Rebecca Tootoosis; Michael also sings rap and has opened for a couple of bands in Toronto.
The other nephew is Derek Esperance, who lives with his dad Kevin and grandmother Barbra Tootoosis in Saskatoon. He attends St. Marguerite School and wears the number 8 on his Tim Horton jersey.
Greg shared a funny story about Derek. His son Kevin said that when Derek was younger, every time they drove by Kentucky Fried Chicken and saw the sign with the Colonel, Derek would blurt out, 鈥淗ey, it鈥檚 Papa Greg!鈥�
Greg Tootoosis said he is 鈥渟o proud鈥� of his children and grandchildren; he has 14 grandsons and one granddaughter. It also is clear that sports and soccer involvement is something the whole family is enthusiastic about.
鈥淓njoying sports with your kids is awesome,鈥� Tootoosis said in his letter. 鈥淭hey will learn some of the seven virtues of life. Humility, Kindness, Patience, Hope, Faith and I鈥檒l add Respect and Love.
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