A Fort Belvoir Bulldogs youth football player has been selected as the installation's Player of the Year by the Northern Virginia Football Hall of Fame, for exhibiting excellence on and off the field during last year's county youth football league season, according to a recent NVFHOF press release.
Mekhi Lynn, a running back on the 80-pound Central Division team, will be inducted into the Hall at the 30th annual awards banquet, March 8 in McLean.
Recognizing champions
The NVFHOF is an organization that recognizes and promotes the special efforts of individuals from the local youth and scholastic football programs, and their collegiate and professional counterparts, according to the release. This recognition includes the inductees to the Hall of Fame that represents the history of the sport in the area, and current football players; coaches; cheerleaders; officials; administrators and other people who exhibit outstanding dedication to the sport from scholastic and youth-club ranks.
"I feel very blessed and humbled that I was chosen for this award; it makes me very happy, Mekhi said. "I've played basketball since I was
5 years old here, as well as football, and have been in baseball the last two years; I like pitching in fast pitch. I love football, and it will stay a priority in high school and college. One day, I would like the opportunity to get drafted into the NFL."
Education first
Like other outstanding athletes who have come up through Belvoir's sports programs, Mekhi Lynn focuses all his efforts on maintaining balance between sports and school.
"I try to use my time wisely, while in sports," he said. "Mom and Dad put education first, so I'm able to complete my school work and homework before practices. The days I don't have practice or games, I try to work ahead on my work and do my home chores."
Mekhi also has some advice for young, up-and-coming athletes.
"Focus on hard work and dedication and don't give up on yourself or your teammates," he said. "Practice hard, stay humble and kind, learn, and also try to teach. Listen to what your coaches are trying to teach to you and put God first."
For Mekhi's parents, this induction is a clear reflection of his personal character and the values that have formed the foundation of his upbringing.
Proud parents
"Mekhi plays the game with his heart and everything he has, every game," said his dad, Sgt. 1st Class Jay Lynn, who works for Special Operations Command at Defense Threat Reduction Agency. "We teach our children to stay humble and kind. He wants to make others proud of him and be a leader for his teammates to follow. He's driven and has played many positions, and he likes to teach the game of football.
"This accomplishment is just the beginning," Jay Lynn added. "Mekhi understands if you want to be the best, you have to work hard and put in the time. Nothing is free and we fight for everything in this family. It's been an honor and we wish to thank Mr. (Jerry) Arrington (Belvoir Child and Youth Services sports and fitness director) and the Fort Belvoir Youth Program for allowing us to participate all these years."
For information about the Belvoir Bulldogs youth football program, and other athletic and fitness opportunities available to children on post, call Arrington at 703-805-9139; Julie Libert, CYS sports and fitness assistant director, at 703-805-9138, or go to belvoir.armymwr.com/programs/youth.
For more information about the Fairfax County Youth Football League and the Hall of Fame, go to fcyfl.org.
For more photos, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/fort_belvoir
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