By Damian Mitchell | news@clantonadvertiser.com

Sports have unlocked many doors in my life that I could not even imagine. The journey has been a long and exciting one, and I am only beginning to scratch the surface.

I was a homegrown guy who loved being on the field and on the court. As a 2014 graduate of Maplesville High School, I was involved in sports every semester of my time there. I was involved in all three major sports: football, basketball and baseball.

Football was my passion and it opened new doors for me once I received my high school diploma.

I was in The Clanton Advertiser’s 2013 Kickoff magazine as the photo representative for Maplesville. I helped lead the Maplesville football team to a spot in the 2013 state championship game.

I loved seeing all things Maplesville football and my name in the newspaper. I anxiously waited for the mornings when I could read the stats in the newspaper to see if I was still leading the county in rushing.

Former Maplesville star Damian Mitchell anticipating the snap for Birmingham Southern College. (Contributed photo)

That is when I knew what I wanted to do. Sports journalism was my calling.

I knew that one day I would have to turn in my sports equipment for the final time so I turned my focus towards writing.

Birmingham-Southern College gave me the opportunity to continue my athletic dream of playing college football and allowed me to pursue a Media Studies degree that would prepare me for future success.

In my four years at Birmingham-Southern I have been fortunate enough to enhance my writing abilities to tremendously high levels.

The Clanton Advertiser is a great publication and I am extremely thankful for them.

I am a familiar face in the county and have traded in my cleats and helmet for a pen, a pad and a camera.