Fossil Ridge High School quarterback Max Akin is a winner. Not only because his team is undefeated and he was crowned homecoming king, but because he knows the power of positivity. Recently, during a halftime ceremony where he was crowned homecoming king, the 17-year-old Texas senior did the unthinkable. He gave the crown to the runner-up, his friend K.L. Norwood. “He gave me a hug, and then he said, ‘I love you,’ and then he gave it to me,” Norwood told TODAY.
“I didn’t know like when I’d have the right time to do it,” Akin told WFAA Dallas. Akin believes that Norwood deserves the crown because he exhibits an amazing attitude even though he struggles with cerebral palsy. “I think it should have gone to the person who positively uplifts the school and everyone around him the most,” Akin said. “That person is K.L. for sure.” Norwood had no problem accepting the crown either. “It was absolutely terrific,” Norwood said.
Instead of seeing homecoming as a popularity contest, Akin used the event as an opportunity to give the attention to someone deserving. “If you spread a little bit of love and compassion around, that’s all we really need and something lacking in today’s world—a little bit of positivity every once in a while,” he said. “As corny as it may sound, treat everyone as you deserve to be treated, just like K.L. does every day.” To many, the story of a hot-shot high school quarterback giving back may seem out of the ordinary, but not for those who know Akin. “He’s got a big heart. He treats everyone like that, which is why he gets along with everyone,” said Fossil Ridge football coach Tony Baccarini. “He’s just a great spirit.”