Campbell County soccer team’s ‘Captain Brady’ values more than the title
ALEXANDRIA, Ky. — They call him Captain Brady, but this Campbell County High School senior says playing soccer and being part of a team means more to him than just the title bestowed upon him.
Brady Delaney said he’s been playing soccer since before he can remember, but it’s only recently that he discovered what the sport means to him.
“The lessons you learn, the good and the bad, the wins and the losses … you carry it with you forever,” Delaney said. “I would not be half of who I am without soccer. It’s all I’ve done. I played year-round forever, so there’s never been a time until this season that I haven’t been playing.”
Brady proudly reported that he’s been a KHSAA scholar athlete all 5 years he’s been playing soccer for Campbell County High School, but the biggest honor was when his team voted him in as captain this past year.
“It was terrifying,” he said with a laugh. “We had a vote in the locker room, and most of the guys already called me Captain Bradey … It was hard providing help for people and becoming the one they came to and asked questions when I was still figuring things out myself. But I’m glad I did it.”
Although he doesn’t have any professional players he looks up to, Brady did say that his coach, Kyle Newman, has been the most impactful person in his sports career. He said Coach Newman taught him a lot, especially when Brady admittingly struggled with self-confidence early in the season.
“I learned a lot from [Coach Newman], like how to become a man and a leader,” said Delaney. “I don’t know if I would be as prepared for my future as I am if it weren’t for him. He treated me with the utmost respect, and I appreciate that.”
Brady hopes to get his real estate license once he turns 18 and immediately enter the workforce, which means he won’t get the opportunity to play soccer in college. However, he said he’s confident he’ll find a way to play the sport he loves, and he’ll never forget the feeling of stepping onto the pitch.
“I truly love the opportunity you get when you step on the field,” Delaney said. “It’s a surreal feeling … I have personal struggles, but when I step in between those lines, nothing else matters. It was a place I got respect and gave respect to others, and I didn’t worry about anything else. It’s a beautiful feeling.”
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