American Fork LB playing for 4 brothers with muscular dystrophy


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AMERICAN FORK — Nate Honey is preparing for the most important game of his life.

“I’m getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it,” he said.

He will start as linebacker for the American Fork Cavemen, who will face Bingham in Friday’s Class 5A state football championship.

“I feel bad for the kids he tackles,” said his mother Sharon.

Nate has made 92 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions and scored four touchdowns this season as a running back.

“I think the thing that is nice about Nathan is that he brings it on the field, then leaves it on the field,” his father Mark said.

When Nate is off the field he is a dedicated, selfless caregiver for his four brothers Richie, Joshua, Andrew and Anthony. All four of them have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“It’s fun because they are just really loving,” Nate said about caring for his brothers. “I love them a lot.”

After a long day at school, which includes football practice, Nate performs more heavy lifting helping his brothers do the things they can’t do for themselves.

“I feel like I was put in this family for a reason,” he said.

He has gained a greater appreciation for his ability to play a sport like football knowing his brothers will never get that chance.

“I play like every game is my last,” he said. “I always feel I need to perform for them. Even though they aren’t there to watch it, I can feel them.”

“The fact that the other boys can’t do it makes it even more important to me because he can. Because he could have been the same way,” Sharon said.

When he steps onto the field Friday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, he will be thinking about his brothers and playing for them.

“I just think about if they are playing with me,” he said. “I look to the left, see my brother, look to the right, see my brother there. I think that’d be awesome.”

Click the video to watch an inspiring tale of brotherly love, and read Amy Donaldson's story in the Deseret News.

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