Hereford native shares his experience of winning a gold medal in flag football

HEREFORD, Texas (KFDA) – Reuben heads to Hereford where he meets a former football standout who was awarded the key to the city and shares his experience of winning a gold medal in flag football.

“I came to Hereford for a day of recognition. They gave me the key to the city and honored me in front of a couple of people I know,” said Ja’Deion High, a gold medalist on the U.S. men’s soccer team.

Hai says love is always appreciated. He claims that he doesn’t express it much because he doesn’t talk much, but he makes sure to tell people that he appreciates their love.

“I appreciate all the support no matter what. You can always feel it. I hear this all the time. I hear it from everyone,” High said. “If you don’t think I hear about you or your congratulations, whatever it is, I always hear it.”

“Well, you know, Ja’Deion is special and he’s someone who has come all the way through the program here and just done a great job and then stepped up for himself,” said Don DeLozier, former head coach of the Hereford Whitefaces.

DeLozier says everything he did and worked for was a result of his work ethic and talent.

“And we’re really, really proud of him,” Delozier said.

High says small town pride is really where it’s at.

“I mean, you come from a small town, your back is already against the wall, the odds are against you, no one is looking at you,” High said.

High impressions that you have to get people to watch. You need to do something to get people to look, and hard work is what really gets their attention.

“And as long as you stay persistent and hardworking, stay confident and by all means pray, talk to God, whatever you do, he will get you there and you will get there, but really it’s just hard work ” said Hai.

DeLozier says Hai had a mother and father who supported him endlessly and continue to do so to this day.

“They love him very much, and it showed while they were raising him,” Delozier said.

Delozier describes High as a player who always played very hard, no matter what you asked of him.

High says the recognition meant a lot.

“Honestly, I didn’t know so many people would come. I thought it would just be a small event. But it meant a lot, especially in Hereford,” High said.

High says he plans to return to Hereford more often.

“I’ve been to a couple of football games in different places, you know, nothing crazy, but I would definitely talk to people here from time to time to keep in touch,” High said.

Hai says it means a lot. Wherever he goes, he will carry West Texas with him.