Texas has always been a state of athletic excellence, grit and passion. At the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, our mission goes beyond honoring the renowned figures of our state’s past, but also supporting the excellence and inspiration within our next generation of leaders through the power of sports and education. Today we have the privilege of highlighting a young Texan who embodies that very spirit.
Meet 12 year old Zaeden (“Zae”) from San Marcos, Texas.
Zae proudly wears #28 for the 12U San Marcos Texans, lining up at tight end,
defensive back and wide receiver. Just last fall, Zae stepped onto the field with no prior experience. Facing a steep learning curve and limited initial playing time, Zae didn’t back down. Through tireless work, discipline and a desire to learn, he has become an exceptional and confident young athlete that his team and coaches rely on every single day.
Zae’s journey is a powerful example of how youth sports builds character, fosters family connection and teaches life lessons that extend far beyond the regularities of everyday life.
Now, Zae is representing the Lone Star State on the national stage as a contender for the 2026 3BRAND Youth Athlete of the Year, a competition that is backed by the NFL legend Russell Wilson and benefiting the Why Not You Foundation. The winner will earn a $25,000 prize, a featured role in a national
commercial campaign on CBS and in Sports Illustrated, and a one on one mentorship session with Russell Wilson.
How You Can Support Zae:
We need the Texas sports community to rally together and help push Zae to 1st place!
● Cast Your Free Vote: everyone gets one free vote every 24 hours.
● Support a Great Cause: You can also purchase additional votes. Proceeds benefit the Why Not You Foundation, supporting youth education, children’s health, and anti-poverty initiatives nationwide.
Lets show the rest of the country how Texas supports their youth. Cast your vote for Zaeden here!