GILBERT, AZ (AZfamily) — A Chandler teenager who survived a shooting more than three years ago once again needs the community’s support.

Everett Watson Jr. in 2021 and his three brothers played basketball at San Tan Park in Chandler. Three male suspects, possibly teenagers, approached them and began shooting.. Everett was shot multiple times and lost his left foot.

Now Everett is a proud member of the Perry High School JV football team.

“He is the most selfless person you will ever meet as a person, not even a player,” JV Head Coach Mike Beaudoin said.

Everett plays defensive line, but he says football wasn’t always his love like it is now.

“I was never a fan of football until the accident because it just helped me relieve stress,” he said.

Everett’s parents, coaches and teammates describe him as driven, positive and inspirational. He made a huge interception in the backfield in the last JV game.

“He had a great game,” Marin Golden said.

Immediately after the game, with the adrenaline still pumping, Everett went to the bench.

“He was sitting in the dugout and yelling, ‘Coach! “They broke my foot.” And he gives me his foot,” Beaudoin said.

Watson’s only prosthetic leg broke during the game and he cannot go on the field without it. Due to Everett’s parents’ new job, their insurance does not currently cover the cost of new prosthetics.

“His first reaction to any adversity will be to never seek support or seek help, but he will just work harder,” Golden said.

Known as ‘Coach Mom’, Golden also has a son on the JV team and has developed a friendship with the Watson family over the past year.

“(Everett) has no idea how big of an impact he made on so many people,” he said.

Helped make a golden start GoFundMe Raising money to buy Everett a new prosthetic and get back on the football field.

There are only two games left in the JV season this year, and a prosthetic foot could cost thousands of dollars.

Everett Sr. “God works through people,” he said. “Yeah, he says that all the time,” Yolanda added.

Until then, Everett will continue to work, smile, and be the best teammate he can be.

“I can inspire people, you know. I can try to do my best to make people happy,” Everett said.

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