High school sports provide many great opportunities and lessons for teenagers. From learning to put forth your best effort, never giving up, and the simplicity of creating a second family within your team, sports are more than ‘just a game’ for many people. On Friday, February 2nd, R.J. Reynolds honored eight former athletes and coaches for their successes as they were inducted into the thirteenth class of the RJR Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees were of all ages, and while the sports these athletes played and coached varied, they all shared a love for RJR and sports.

The evening started as inductees and their families gathered in the auxiliary gym with current members of the Hall of Fame and other members of RJR athletics. The room was covered in black and gold balloons, and each table had trophies from previous championships won at RJR. Individual portraits of the families were taken, and members gathered around Promethean boards, shuffling through old photos as they reminisced with loved ones about their time in athletics.

After a short dinner and time for cake, each inductee gave short speeches summing up their time at RJR, thanking their families, and celebrating their accomplishments.

“Reynolds High School actually saved my life,” former football player Jomo Legins said. “I inherited another family when I was here.”

Unfortunately, some of the inductees have passed on, not being able to relish their successes. Loved ones were able to receive the reward on their behalf.

“Whenever he did speak up, he would say something impactful or give you something to think about on the way home,” former football coach HC “Joby” Hawn’s grandson said. “He worked every day to leave this world a better place.”

While everyone loves to be recognized for their success, this induction wasn’t one many saw coming.

“I always played for the love of the game,” former basketball player Ashton Flemming said. “As a 16 and 17-year-old athlete, the hall of fame was never something I thought about, walking into Bryson each night.”

Bryson Gym is a place tied to many special memories for this group of people, and these memories were relived as all inductees and their families got to attend an RJR basketball game that evening.

“I remember getting that black and gold pair of tennis shoes that made me feel tied to this place,” James Alexander said. “I never ran faster or jumped higher than I did in these shoes. It’s crazy what ties us to certain places.”