NW Whitfield Coach Josh Robinson Thankful to Have His Son Paxton on Bruins Team
Tunnel Hill, GA-(WDEF-TV) Northwest Whitfield’s head coach, Josh Robinson dreamed of coaching his son Paxton out on the football field, but then his son was born with a genetic disorder.
Said Josh:”When he was first born, he actually died. He was gone, resuscitated. They had to paddle him back to life. This is 12 hours after he was born. ”
Paxton was treated for three weeks in a Vanderbilt Hospital.
Said Josh:”They did some special brain cooling stuff on him to reduce the brain damage that they thought might be there. Lord willing, none of that has came to fruition. He lives a perfectly normal life.”
But Paxton did more than just survive.
Said Josh:”Early on the doctor said he would never play anything. Said he wouldn’t go to public school. He’d have to be home-schooled, and we’ve been very fortunate about him dealing with his genetic disorder, and he has kind of proven the doctor’s wrong.”
All that meaning Paxton and his dad Josh were able to walk onto the field together,
Said Paxton Robinson:”He’s really excited for me and I was really excited for him because we just want to win. I mean, that’s all it comes down to in the moment.”
Said Josh:”A lot of happiness because again, there were many years where we didn’t know anything. Could he even go to school, let alone play a sport? And now we’re thankful. He’s part of the basketball team. He’s part of the football team.”
Said Paxton:”First, I wasn’t even supposed to be playing sports at all, really. But then my dad taught me to overcome it.”
But with Paxton’s genetic disorder, he needs I-V’s when he’s sick. Josh says he’s probably different from most parents because he’s happy his son is part of the football team.
Said Josh:”Despite that genetic disorder, I know what value football can provide any young man. Every parent wants their kid to be a star or starter. And of course, I would love that to be for Paxton as well. But at the end of the day, I just want him to be a valuable part and understand the lessons that football can teach anybody that they’re part of.”
Said Paxton:”There’s benefits and downs because he’s if I do something wrong, he’ll get me in trouble and everything. And then if I do good, I’ll just play like I do normally.”
Josh says he has high expectations for his son, but he had to learn his son’s limits.
Said Josh:”There’s going to be a few more limits that other young men, but I’ve coached him hard his whole entire life in all sports. I’m just fortunate that I made adjustments and I grew up and became a better dad, I think.”
Said Paxton:”When it happened, I was kind of shocked because I thought it was going to be like really bad the first time, like whenever I picked up a football or picked up a basketball really. But then everything just changed once it happened. my life. ”
Said Josh:”It’s been amazing. I walk by him and you say do you want me to give you a hug? He tells me shut up. It’s really fun, but at the same time, he knows I’m not his dad on the field. I’m his coach.”
