Student Athlete of the Week – Richard Tyler Hernandez
“I want to be successful. And when I took in that word successful, it really meant a lot to me, so I just worked hard for it and I’m slowly achieving the goal to be successful,” said Rancho Mirage football senior captain Richard Tyler Hernandez.
Hernandez was elected by his peers as captain of the Rancho Mirage Football team. He also won the coaches award last season from LD Matthews as a defensive player, something that has never happened before. You could argue that Hernandez has achieved success. But there’s still something else on his mind.
“Go 5-0 in league and get a ring,” he said. “And just create a really good bond with each other, a brotherhood that we will never forget after we leave. “
Hernandez is also trying to get noticed by college programs. But, humble as ever, his goals still remain team-oriented.
“I’m not the type of person that always wants to give credit to myself. Without my team, I couldn’t be where I am today,” he said.
Hernandez is always the first one on the field and the last one off. He even does 400 push ups and sit ups every night on top of his football workouts. Oh yeah, and he volunteers in the community on his off days.
“It’s important because I believe others should get the resources and advice they need. Not just have one person have all the knowledge,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez not only wants to be successful for himself, but wants to share that success with his teammates and his community.
“He does the things, when we’re not looking, correct,” Matthews said. “He leads by example by doing what he’s supposed to do. I think that’s something the younger kids and even his peers can admire about him.”
Matthews says that Hernandez is like another coach on the field and in the weight room. When I asked Matthews about what makes him so special, this is what he said.
“His willingness to be a team player. Willingness to do the little things right and be a self-disciplined person and somebody who’s highly motivated to be the best he can be. I think that’s what really stood out about him to this point in his career at Rancho Mirage High School,” Matthews said.
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