Calling all grassroots footballers, every club and every community has its grassroots

goat.

You know, the players who are out at 7 a.m. putting the nets up whatever the weather.

The coaches who dedicate their spare time to teaching kids the beautiful game, the managers

that deal with last minute dropouts and the people washing the kit.

The athletic recognises these unsung football heroes and we want to hear about them.

Create a free account at theathletic.com slash goat, give us some details about your

football club sport community's grassroots goat, and our award-winning journalist

may just tell that story on theathletic.

Find out more at theathletic.com slash goat.

In honor of Black History Month.

My story begins with my mother and father, Bernie and Willie McGinnis.

He migrated to Indiana from Hoppersville, Alabama looking for a better opportunity for their

family.

It's hard growing up in Indiana and not falling in love with the game of basketball.

It was 1956.

I was six years old.

Two events would change my life forever.

We had our first television set.

And I got to watch the nation's first all-black team in Pete for Indiana High School State

Championship.

I was introduced to a young man who became not only my hero, but for every kid in our

...