Any students who have sibling[s] know how it feels to have to share something with him or her; whether it is a room, car, or even the same birthday. Although siblings may have countless things to share, the Leavy brothers—James, Robert, and Jeremy—all have something in common, but unable to share it until now . . . and that is playing football.
James Leavy is currently a senior and is majoring in criminal justice. When asked what interested him in football, his reply was: “my father and my uncle were the reason why I started playing football. When I was growing up I was constantly surrounded by it. My uncle played in the National Football League [NFL] for the Buccaneers so my father would always take me to the games and practices. After watching my uncle,” James continues, “I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.” James has been playing football since the fifth grade and has not had the opportunity to play with his younger brothers until now; what better way to end his last semester than being a part of the Kean University football team with his brothers by his side? Currently, James plays safety on the defensive back line, along with his brother, Robert Leavy, who plays corner. “After graduation,” James says, “I plan to become a firefighter and pursue law school.”
Robert and Jeremy Leavy just started their first semester at Kean University and Robert is currently undecided, while Jeremy is currently majoring in physical education. Both of them have been playing football since the fourth grade. After graduation, Robert would love to own his own business one day while Jeremy would like to “eventually coach a division one football program.” Unlike both of his brothers, Jeremy plays wide receiver on the offensive side.
People may think that playing on the same sport team with siblings is annoying, but the Leavy brothers use this opportunity to their full advantage. “The memories I created with my brothers I will forever cherish and appreciate,” Jeremy says, “it doesn’t happen often where a person could say I played on a college football team with both of my brothers; I’m lucky enough to be able to say that.” These men have a love for each other on and off the field. “I didn’t know where I was going at first,” Robert says about coming to Kean University, “but after how highly James spoke about the football program and the school, I came on the recruiting visit and loved it,” Robert then spoke about how playing football with his brothers came with no hesitation “ [I mean], who wouldn’t want to play on a college football team with both of [his or her] brothers?” To continue this strong connection, James responds with a touching answer: “I honestly can’t think of a better way [of] ending my senior football season than playing with my two younger brothers. It was a privilege I have always dreamed about playing on the same team as them and honestly never thought it would happen.”
Both Jeremy and Robert believe that being on a team with their older brother James was a great experience. “I learned so much from James on the football field. He was always there for me. Football camp [wasn’t] easy, but to me, the transition of college football and being away from home was [easier] because I felt comfortable with both of my brothers there,” Robert comments. “Robert and I knew we wanted to play together, [but] we didn’t know we were going to get so lucky to play with James,” Jeremy says. He continues to comment that after visiting Kean University, “playing with Robert and James made my decision [on becoming an official Kean University student] much easier.”
Although the Leavy brothers do not plan on moving on to a professional league, playing on the same team together was enough to have their dream fulfilled. Each one of them enjoyed the season; James will not forget how “every practice was competitive [as] we were always trying to outplay each other. Unfortunately for Robert and Jeremy, it was always me outplaying them,” James commented laughing. Although their coach would always say “do it for the man next you,” James did it for the men on either side of him.: his teammates and his brothers.
