Coupeville Sports

Brett Arnold is a bruising football runner, young man of faith, and a natty dresser, all rolled into one. (Photo courtesy Sylvia Arnold)

This is not a story full of doom and gloom.

It is a story of hope, resilience and courage driven by deeply ingrained faith.

When Coupeville High School running back Brett Arnold slams into the pile, using brute strength to drive his legs forward and push the defensive line back (“I always try to run North and South. I found it to be more fun running through players than around them”), he can move mountains.

Off the field, he does the same, but in a far more personal way.
 
He, and his family, are dealing with a life-changing event.

An accident in mid-August left Brett’s father, Coupeville Living Hope Foursquare pastor Garrett Arnold, paralyzed, and he was only recently able to return home.
 
The community has rallied around the Arnold family with fundraisers and emotional support.

Anyone who has attended a Wolf home game this season can’t help but notice an undeniable electric charge that goes through the crowd when Brett has the ball.

With no disrespect meant towards Danny Savalza, Bryce Fleming, Jake Tumblin or any of the other CHS ball-carriers, there is an extra edge to the roar when Brett Arnold hits the gap — almost as if the town is willing him down the field.

It is a testament to a young man who remains on the field at a time when many would have walked away.

An offensive weapon who plays with a calm intensity, driven by his faith, but not one to throw it in other people’s faces.

You could see it in a game against Orcas Island, a game where he scored two touchdowns but was knocked out of the game for a bit by a vicious collision.

As he walked the sidelines, up and back, up and back, the pain lifted from his face and was replaced with a look of quiet determination.

As the noise and fury of the game played out in the background, he seemed, for the moment, to have gone somewhere deep inside and found a calmness, a serenity of spirit.

And then he went back in the game and blew up the defenders, before bouncing back up and handing the ball to the ref, heading back to the huddle without any cheap, fist-pumping theatrics.

Just a man going about his business.

Which has not always been easy.

“I won’t lie, it has been hard. But the strength that my Lord has given me has helped me keep pressing through,” Arnold said.

“I was thinking about not playing this season in order to be there for my dad, but I knew that he would want me to be out playing football. I know my dad would want me to play hard and do my best, so that’s exactly what I try to do.”

His father has given him many things, but a love for football (Garrett remains a fanatical Southern Cal fan) and a faith in God that is shown through actions as much as words are two of the most evident.

“My faith in Jesus Christ has been a huge part of my life,” Brett Arnold said. “I try to live a life pleasing to the Lord, whether it’s football, school, or any other aspect in my life.”

When not on the gridiron, the CHS junior enjoys his math and weight training classes, listens to some John Mayer and Coldplay and is a fan of The Big Bang Theory and The Office.

He also plays a mean guitar and can hold his own on the video game system of your choice.

As he and his teammates head into a season-ending three-game stretch that starts with an all-Island grudge match against South Whidbey this Friday, Oct. 12 (7 PM kickoff in Langley), Arnold has his sights set firmly on wrapping things up with a bang.

“In order to advance into districts we need to win against South Whidbey and Kings. I would like to win one of those two games,” Arnold said. “Personally I want to do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if that takes laying out a few kids in the process.

“I feel that I try to run hard every play,” he added. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my team win.”

Which you know makes his biggest fan a very happy dad.