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It wasn’t that long ago that Evergreen Park Community High School junior Eduardo Antunez didn’t know how to play football.
But now that it has become such a huge part of his young life, Antunez is giving back to the organization that introduced him to the sport, the Evergreen Park Stallions.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end/offensive lineman may be used to giving back to his community, but he became a receiver earlier this month as he was named the ninth and final recipient of the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award for the 2023 season.
“Eduardo is an extremely hard worker,” Evergreen Park football coach Jerry Verde said. “He is always looking to do more than just the minimum. He never looks for shortcuts, but instead leads by example both on and off the field. With so many players that get caught up in the ‘all about me’ mindset, Eduardo stands out as a player that always puts the team first.”
He’s the kind of kid that always steps up.
“Whether we had a need on special teams or just needed an extra player to help out on a practice prep team, he always volunteered to help,” Verde said. “From a service standpoint, when a team’s biggest and best players are making a difference in their community, it sets an example for younger players to be able to follow and aspire to.”
Along with the award from the Bears, Antunez received a hand-painted football, gift bag and an invitation to a future Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his name.
“I want to hopefully help kids that are sick,” Antunez said. “I was surprised that I got it and was reminded that my mom signed me up for it,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d get it because of all the schools in the Chicago area, but I’m happy to get it and to represent my school.”
The award, which was presented to Antunez May 4 at EPCHS, recognizes special athletes like Antunez who are making a positive impact not only at their high school but also throughout the community.
“When I was 8 and we moved here I started some new things and the Stallions was basically where it all started with football for me,” he said. “They hold their camp at Evergreen Park and I’ve done it the last two years. I’m so happy to see the little kids come in and learn about football. I know what that was like being in their position and not knowing anything about football.”
Now, Antunez is doing a lot of the teaching. He’s an active volunteer with the Stallions youth football teams, devoting a great deal of time to mentoring young athletes and teaching them about a sport he’s passionate about.
“Evergreen Park is the kind of community where everybody knows everybody, so I’m happy to be able to help others here,” he said. “We’re a small community and I think that makes it even more important to give back, you know, since we are so lucky to grow up in such a nice neighborhood. It’s really nice here with friendly people.”
In addition to all of his efforts with the Stallions, Antunez has participated in a variety of community service projects, including a Toys for Tots drive and a Veterans Day breakfast at his school.
“It really opens up your eyes about how really blessed we are, and it makes we want to help out more, and I’ve been trying to,” he said. “Helping out can be nice and calming and help your sense of well being.”
While the gridiron may be his favorite place, he’s truly a year-round athlete, competing for the school’s track and field team now this spring while having wrestled in the winter, where he was a two-time state qualifier.
“Football is my number one, but I’ve also wrestled for about the same amount of time,” he said. “It’s all important to me. I picked up track and field my sophomore year and am throwing the shot put and discus. It just became a normal thing to do all of this. I’m able to manage my schedule, it’s not too hard, and to have fun with it.”
Somehow he’s able to find enough time to study where he’s shining in the classroom with a 3.75 GPA and a member of the Evergreen Park National Honor Society.
“Academics are important to me because I know that to go to a good college and get into a good football program, you need the grades so the coaches can know you can manage both,” he said. “I can keep up with my school work just by managing my time really. I do whatever I can in school and everything else outside of school or when I have the time.”
C.R. Walker is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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