- November 23, 2024
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Having to grow up in a single-family household without his dad, Anthony Buchanan has used the pain to fuel his play on the football field.
“I barely know my dad, and that affects me,” Buchanan said. “Those around me say I have bottled-up energy that I don’t want to let go, and it’s true. It’s because he’s not around.”
Since his dad left him, Buchanan has only seen him three times in the last 10 years, including the last time, when they got to spend a few weeks together at his father’s home in Mississippi.
When my mom told me I was going to stay with him, I was like ‘Yes! I get to see my dad,’” Buchanan said. “But, when I was with him, he was always out with his friends and even spent the night at their houses, leaving me at his house alone. I felt unwanted. I called my mom to come and get me.”
There was a time in Anthony Buchanan’s life, when he was the center of attention at home; he was the only child. Since his mom, Cammie Acevedo, has remarried and given birth to three other children, Buchanan has had to adjust from being the only child to a house full of children.
“There are times when Anthony says, ‘Mom, you have too many children,’” a laughing Acevedo says. “But, his sisters are always there to support him and they enjoy rooting him on at his games, so it works out well for them.”
"I’m super proud of Anthony, because it would've been easy for him to give up and just be mad at the world for all that has happened, but he has handled it well,” Acevedo added. “I’m so glad that he’s found football as an outlet to handle his frustrations and get the attention that he deserves on the field.”
As a member of the Flagler Falcons, Buchanan has stood out as a defensive player, helping the Falcons finish with a 9-1 record and a berth to a Conference Championship, which has led to multiple all-star game invites. He recently participated in the Football University tournament, which was held in Naples, where he forced James Cook, the nation’s top middle school running back, to fumble, and he will play in the All-American Youth Bowl for Offense and Defense on Jan. 2 and Jan. 4, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
“When I got the information that I was going to play in the New Year’s Bowl, I felt great,” Buchanan said. “It was my first time being invited to play in a stadium in front of a lot of people. I have the most confidence in the world in my abilities, because I’m used to playing against older people. The game comes easy for me, when I play against my peers. These games are going to change the way I think on the field, because it’s not going to be easy playing against the best kids in the nation.”
Buchanan was chosen as the defensive Most Valuable Player at the Offense and Defense camp, which was held in July, in Jacksonville.
Over the last years, Buchanan has been training with his stepfather, Eric Acevedo, who plays on the Flagler Knights semipro football team. According to Buchanan, Acevedo often gives him pointers concerning his game, and he even allows him to practice with the team.
“Eric has helped me a lot with my game and off the field,” Buchanan added. “He has stepped up and been a good father to me. Playing with those bigger guys has helped me out a lot.”
The Buddy Taylor Middle School eighth grader hopes to eventually play in college while studying Marine Biology. At the orientation for the Football University tournament, which was held at a marine science center, Buchanan took the initiative to ask the representative various questions about the job, according to his mother.
“I eventually want to play in the league,” Buchanan said. “I know it’s a tough road, and I have to keep my grades up, but I believe I can do it, with my mom’s support. She’s always on me about my grades, and she’s been my biggest supporter on the field. I just want to make her proud.”
