New Mexico native Killian Chambers had his most successful season to date, highlighted by back-to-back 200-yard games. Despite his talent, there was a time when Chambers wanted nothing to do with football.
“August 22nd”, a date Chambers says will be forever etched in his memory.
He was driving back from his shift at El Michoacáno, a Mexican restaurant, when he heard sirens. Flashing lights surrounded his house as he stumbled out of his car.
“I saw her lying there and couldn’t believe it.”
His mother had died from a drug overdose. She was only 36 years old.
“She raised me all by myself, she was always there for me.”
His inseparable bond with his mother was apparent to everyone who knew him. Growing up in poverty, his mother worked two jobs to support him.
“I started working at 15 to help out financially. Still, it was a struggle.”
As his senior football season approach, Chambers thought about quitting.
“Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of making it to the big leagues. More than anything I wanted to buy my momma’ a house for everything she did for me. Without her, football lost meaning.”
He now wanted nothing to do with football but decided to keep playing, saying,
“It’s what she would’ve wanted.”
He kept going to school, working at El Michoacáno, and playing football. With high expectations as one of the top recruits in the state, his senior season got off to a rocky start.
“It wasn’t the same. After every play, I would look in the stands where my mother used to sit and pray she would be there.”
“Were you able to still focus on the game?”
“Man, I was running wrong routes and dropping passes left and right. It got so bad that one time I caught the ball, I ran towards the wrong endzone.”
Chambers started getting less playing time as the season progressed. Consequently, he started working more hours at El Michoacáno.
“I would get free tacos while working. Topped with my favorites like onion, cilantro, and Pico de Gallo I must’ve eaten half-dozen tacos a shift."
His love for tacos continued as his football season came to an end.
“Who would want me on their team after last season? I thought my future in football was over.”
Chambers was about to head off to another day of work when he received a phone call. It was the New Mexico Lobos’ head coach. He offered him a full scholarship to play football.
“I was like, is this a joke? Did you see the season I had?”
The coach did see but also heard about Chambers’ struggles. He thought the kid had potential and wanted to give him a shot.
“I couldn’t believe it; I never thought I would play football again. I had to accept; it was our dream come true.”
Chambers arrived on campus with a renewed passion for football. The rest is history.
"If my momma' could see me today, I know she would be proud."
By Erin Fendale, New Mexico Inquirer
“August 22nd”, a date Chambers says will be forever etched in his memory.
He was driving back from his shift at El Michoacáno, a Mexican restaurant, when he heard sirens. Flashing lights surrounded his house as he stumbled out of his car.
“I saw her lying there and couldn’t believe it.”
His mother had died from a drug overdose. She was only 36 years old.
“She raised me all by myself, she was always there for me.”
His inseparable bond with his mother was apparent to everyone who knew him. Growing up in poverty, his mother worked two jobs to support him.
“I started working at 15 to help out financially. Still, it was a struggle.”
As his senior football season approach, Chambers thought about quitting.
“Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of making it to the big leagues. More than anything I wanted to buy my momma’ a house for everything she did for me. Without her, football lost meaning.”
He now wanted nothing to do with football but decided to keep playing, saying,
“It’s what she would’ve wanted.”
He kept going to school, working at El Michoacáno, and playing football. With high expectations as one of the top recruits in the state, his senior season got off to a rocky start.
“It wasn’t the same. After every play, I would look in the stands where my mother used to sit and pray she would be there.”
“Were you able to still focus on the game?”
“Man, I was running wrong routes and dropping passes left and right. It got so bad that one time I caught the ball, I ran towards the wrong endzone.”
Chambers started getting less playing time as the season progressed. Consequently, he started working more hours at El Michoacáno.
“I would get free tacos while working. Topped with my favorites like onion, cilantro, and Pico de Gallo I must’ve eaten half-dozen tacos a shift."
His love for tacos continued as his football season came to an end.
“Who would want me on their team after last season? I thought my future in football was over.”
Chambers was about to head off to another day of work when he received a phone call. It was the New Mexico Lobos’ head coach. He offered him a full scholarship to play football.
“I was like, is this a joke? Did you see the season I had?”
The coach did see but also heard about Chambers’ struggles. He thought the kid had potential and wanted to give him a shot.
“I couldn’t believe it; I never thought I would play football again. I had to accept; it was our dream come true.”
Chambers arrived on campus with a renewed passion for football. The rest is history.
"If my momma' could see me today, I know she would be proud."
By Erin Fendale, New Mexico Inquirer