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Thompson offensive lineman Amari Kight stands alongside teammate Shadrick Byrd for a picture during Kight's Under Armour All-American Bowl jersey ceremony. (Reporter photo/Alec Etheredge)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

ALABASTER – For the second time in two weeks, the Thompson football team was celebrating one of its own being honored with a prestigious jersey dedicated to a high school All-American game.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Warriors’ offensive lineman and Alabama Crimson Tide commit Amari Kight was awarded his 2019 Under Armour All-American Bowl jersey in front of a packed crowd in Warrior Arena.

Kight will join teammate and fellow Crimson Tide commit Taulia Tagovailoa in one of the two biggest high school All-American games. Tagovailoa will be competing in the American Family Insurance All-American Bowl, formally known as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“It means a whole lot being able to go out and represent my teammates and coaches,” Kight said. “Being able to get better with them every day and now getting to go out and represent all of that hard work we put in means a lot.”

Kight is fresh off an exciting victory against Hewitt-Trussville on ESPN2 that still had him grinning because of the fun he had with his teammates, something he believes no other team can match.

“We have more fun than anyone in the country,” Kight said of his Thompson team. “We go out and do what we have to do and don’t worry about what others are doing. It’s a lot of fun.”

While he has plenty of fun on and off the field, his years of dedication and hard work, combined with natural ability and size, has earned Kight the honor of playing in the prestigious football game on Jan. 3, 2019, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The game, like his contest against the Huskies, will be televised by ESPN2.

“What a blessing for us to be here today and recognize Amari,” Thompson head coach Mark Freeman said. “We are excited that he will be representing the Thompson Warriors in the Under Armour All-American game. Amari has worked extremely hard during his career and today is a celebration of his accomplishments.”

Kight said his experiences at Thompson and his head coach are something that not only have him ready for the big All-American game, but his future as he pursues a starting role at Alabama and hopes to one day make it to the NFL.

“My experience at Thompson is going to help me a lot moving forward because of the coaches and teammates I’ve had,” he said. “I know I’m going to have coaches pushing me and getting on me in the future that challenge me every day, so I’ll have to be ready to compete every day.”

The Under Armour All-American game started 11 years ago and includes current NFL stars Julio Jones, A.J. Green and Jadeveon Clowney, as well as 100-plus current players on NFL rosters.

It’s an accomplishment Kight has put years of hard work in for and one he wouldn’t have gotten to without the help of his family growing up.

“I want to thank my family for raising me right and instilling everything they have in me,” Kight said. “They’ve sacrificed a lot for me and I just hope one day I’ll be able to repay them.”

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