Cameron Toomey-Stout
Toomey-Stout (6), before Coupeville’s lone JV game this season. The freshman has seen action in both Wolf varsity games. (John Fisken photos)
Running with speed and precision.
Fearless.
That’s the word that pops up every time Coupeville High School football coaches talk about freshman Cameron Toomey-Stout.
He may be the smallest player on the field, but his heart is epic and, where bigger, heavier players back down, he crashes right through, intent on fulfilling his role, whether it’s hitting a receiver like a missile from his defensive back position or taking a kickoff.
But, as often as his coaches use the word, it’s not one Toomey-Stout puts much stock in.
“I’m not fearless,” he said. “No person is fearless, but when you have a football team that’s like your family, you will do anything for them.
“When one of the players got hurt and I went in, I just did what I was supposed to do and did anything I had to, to help the team.”
That sense of commitment is always evident for the lifelong football fan.
“My favorite part of football is the fact that it doesn’t come easy,” Toomey-Stout said. “You have to work at it. You have to work hard and long.
“You can’t just catch a ball. You have to learn,” he added. “You have to work at it and get better and better. It is a process. Even the pros have to work at it. That is my mindset.”
It’s a philosophy which he has learned to embrace since first lining up on the gridiron as a seventh grader. It didn’t come easy, but it’s been worth it.
“I used to think it was all about me in middle school,” Toomey-Stout said. “Now I realize it is about the team and every position counts, no matter how big or small.”
Unless he hits a major growth spurt in the next few weeks, his freshman season will likely be one in which rival players continue to wonder if he stole a uniform and snuck on the field.
Until they see Toomey-Stout play and realize size isn’t everything, even on the gridiron.
“My goal is to show people that it’s not about how short or tall someone is, it’s about good you actually are,” he said. “When I went on the field in the varsity game against South Whidbey, people were shocked that I was going out to play.
“Now that there isn’t a JV team, my goals for the season are to get the varsity to be the best they can be,” Toomey-Stout added. “Especially playing on scout team, giving them, or trying to give them, something so it can be as real as a game.”
He’s already played in both CHS varsity games, and a key part of his success as a receiver/cornerback/special teams assassin is his speed and nimble nature.
Years of dance (the kid is a true Renaissance man) have helped him hone his moves.
A dancer since age four, he is proficient in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop.
“Dancing is a big part of my life,” Toomey-Stout said. “I think it has really helped me with sports.”
He also plays the guitar, is learning Spanish and plays basketball and baseball, surfs and snowboards. Whatever he does, he does well, it seems.
“Giving 110%. I always want to go out there and give it my best.”
Through it all, though, football is his passion. A fan since his early years, he could barely wait until his moment arrived.
“I’ve always had football in my life thanks to my parents, who are big Seahawks fans,” Toomey-Stout said. “It’s been a tradition in my family to watch the game, but have a transistor radio right by the ear listening to the same game as well.
“Football is my life and ever since I touched one, I have been asking my mom, can I play this year?!”
Now, the wait is over, and the true winners are Coupeville coaches and fans who get to see him play, one “fearless” moment at a time.
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