SIDELINE SUPERSTAR: Meet Horizon’s equipment manager

Among the sea of orange and purple football jerseys you see on the sidelines at any Horizon High School football game, you will find the Hawks’ equipment manager, Nathan Freid.

“It means the world to me (to be a part of the team),” he said. “I love football; I like to take care of people and the equipment.” 

For Nathan — who has Down syndrome — and his family, football is a shared passion. 

“When he started high school, I knew I wanted him involved in something, and football seemed like a great option because my family loves football,” his mother Trish Freid said. “I didn’t necessarily know how we were going to pull it off, but we met the right people at the right time and they connected us with (head) coach (Dennis) Thomas.” 

As equipment manager, Nathan is in charge of taking care of the water for the team, putting away the equipment and helping his team however he is needed.

“He helps out with different things (on game days); he sometimes is a ball boy,” Thomas said. “He’s inspiration (for his peers). … He helps the guys understand that people are people, and that anybody can do anything. We love having him around.” 

Nathan, 16, is a sophomore and has been blessed with the opportunity of finding a family away from home among the football players and coaches.

“I feel happy; I like how people really love me at school,” he said. “My team helps me by being there for me, and being nice and encouraging.” 

His favorite class is world history and currently, he is enjoying learning about ancient Rome. 

“I like how they built the Coliseum and how (the gladiators) used to fight in the arena,” Nathan said. 

Not only is Nathan a part of the Hawks’ football team, but also he is involved with the school’s Special Olympics teams in basketball and pickleball, and is part of the Student Government Association. For extracurricular classes, he chose a culinary class so he can hone in his cooking skills — he loves to make himself an egg burrito every day before school with salsa and sour cream. 

With a sense of humor and a positive attitude, Nathan is an encouraging friend to all, and a smart individual who has earned the love of anyone who has crossed his path and the friendship of football players and coaches alike. 

“He has a personality greater than life,” Trish Freid said. 

“He’s a bundle of energy; he’s a practical joker,” Thomas said. “He’s just fun to be around.” 

Nathan and his family have a Sunday tradition: to go to Miller’s Ale House to watch the New York Jets. Before, it was a whole family tradition, with his mom; his dad, Alex; and his three sisters, Bella, Samantha and Alyx. Now, it’s mostly Nathan, his parents and his sister, Bella, also a student at Horizon.

This season, Nathan is excited to continue making lifelong memories. His favorite memory so far: Being able to wear a set of coach headphones and hear how his team scored a touchdown. 

“I’m excited in finding my place on how I can help my team to lead them into the future,” Nathan said. 

For his family, this opportunity means the world; all they always wanted for Nathan was to be included and able grow. 

“I didn’t know how it was going to look like, but I didn’t imagine it was going to look this awesome,” Trish Freid said. “He is 100% included in his classes and with the football team, and all of it is helping Nathan be the best version he can be. Most of these kids probably don’t know anyone with Down syndrome aside from Nathan.

“So, what this does for a group of high-school boys — and high-schoolers in general — is that it teaches them what Nathan is capable of,” she said. “It teaches them that their community, and the people who are in their circle of friends, sometimes can look a little different. It doesn’t mean that’s any worse; it just means different. All we’ve wanted since day one with Nathan is for him to be included, and I know that’s not what every parent wants, but it’s want we wanted for Nathan. And when we see inclusion working, it’s fantastic, and it really sets the bar high.”