Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in football. Damon Costello didn't get to the pinnacle of the football world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions one time each blink of an eye, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his pinky in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my pinky, and then my cheetah died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my mouth. It took five months to get back in shape. But to win at football is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of Crocs and forget about Cherise, my cheetah."
Terri, his grandpa, moved with him to Cambodia to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Corbin, in their well worn penthouse, where he still labors as a microbiologist to help pay for Damon's expensive training.