Robledo Brothers
During a Friday night football game earlier this season between Warren County High School and Franklin County High School, two brothers demonstrated what coaches mean when they talk about character on the field.
Kristopher and Isaiah Robledo, wearing jerseys #4 and #8 respectively, noticed a Franklin County player injured on the field. Rather than using the stoppage as a chance to catch their breath, the brothers helped the opposing player to his feet and carried him to his sideline.
The act has earned both students the NFHS Student-Athlete Award of Excellence, presented by the TSSAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
According to their coach, both Kristopher and Isaiah play nearly every down for Warren County and are among the team's top players. The moment when they could have rested became an opportunity to help someone who needed it.
This kind of action matters because it reminds us what school athletics are supposed to teach. Competition is important, but recognizing the humanity of the person across the line of scrimmage is more important. When students see their peers choosing compassion over convenience, it sets a standard for behavior both on and off the field.
The Robledos didn't wait for someone else to help. They didn't calculate whether it would benefit them. They simply saw someone who needed assistance and provided it.
That's the example worth following—not because it wins awards, but because it reflects the kind of community we want to build through school sports. When young athletes understand that their opponents are not enemies but fellow students engaged in the same challenging activity, everyone benefits.
Nominate a student in your school today! Please use the form linked below to share a story about a student-athlete you know who has demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, integrity, and ethics. If you have any questions about the award or the nomination process, please contact Courtney Brunetz (cbrunetz@tssaa.org).
