Thicker Than Water; Deeper Than a Game: Lindsey

In a small town like Landrum or Campobello with a small school like Landrum High, loyalty is one of the most cherished traits. As cliche as it sounds – like something straight from a Jason Aldean song – people grow up together and form bonds that run deeper than blood that produce a sense of pride in community that runs wider and further than a river. Family is also valued above all else.

All of those things factor into Landrum senior three-sport star AJ Lindsey’s life and are reasons why he loves being a Cardinal.

“I enjoy the people in Landrum the most”, said Lindsey. “Being from a small town, everyone knows one another, and I think it is super cool that just about every time you go out, you see someone you know. Most of us that go to Landrum have known each other our whole lives. I have known most of my teammates since we were 4 and 5 years old, and that is one reason why we have such a strong bond.”

As a football, basketball, and baseball player, AJ has some fond memories that involve sports. But one moment in particular stands out that he also says helped form and strengthen the connections he has with his fellow athletes.

“My most fond sports memory is when we won the 8th grade championship in basketball”, said Lindsey. “It was something that had never been done before. But, what really made it special is that there was a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff going on in both mine and my teammates’ lives before that season. So, to have a happy moment like that after some of the things we dealt with was awesome and made the bond between us even stronger.”

AJ started off his career as a multi-sport athlete at a very early age, as you might imagine, going back to shortly after he was able to form core memories, which also adds heat to the crucible with which his loyalty and bond with those he shares a locker room with was forged.

“I first started sports when I was three playing Upward Basketball. At age 4, I started football and I have stuck with it ever since. If I had to choose a favorite sport to play, it would have to be football. I love goofing around with my friends playing basketball, but to me nothing can beat Friday night lights. It is just you and your friends battling with each other for your school and town. Nothing beats that. As far as fandom goes, I was born a Clemson fan and naturally root for them in every sport. I also have been a lifelong Washington Commanders fan thanks to my dad,” AJ recalled.

Lindsey’s dad is part of a strong system of support that includes all of his immediate and extended family, who you can hear cheering loudly for him every time he takes the field, court, or diamond.

“My family is awesome”, AJ said. “You ask anyone at a Landrum sporting event where AJ’s family is and they will point at the loudest and most rambunctious group of people in the stadium/gym. Some kids might find that embarrassing, but I think it is awesome. I love how they cheer me on and support me. That goes for my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and most importantly, my parents – who I am very close with since I am an only child.”

Like most only children, his parents have had a very profound impact on his life, making it difficult for him to attribute his character traits to either one of them. But, one thing is evident – he has been taught to work hard and to be as supportive to others as his family is to him.

“I can’t choose either one specifically, but my parents have been my biggest influencers”, Lindsey stated with pride.”I have always been told that I take after my dad – looking like he did when he was my age. People recognize me for that reason. They also say we have the exact same personality. My nana even says that watching me play football reminds her of watching him back in the day. He is super outgoing and has the ability to make anyone laugh and get along with everybody. On the other hand, my mother is such a hard worker. She comes home from work and always makes sure that I am on top of my schoolwork and am making good grades. They both want me to be better than both of them ever were combined and for me to have the best life that I can possibly have.”

AJ has also had the unique opportunity to have been shaped both as an athlete and a person by three different head coaches just over the course of his football career alone – Jason Farmer, Brent Bridges, and now Mike Reid.

“Coach Farmer and I have always had a great relationship. He has kept in touch with me since he left over text and every time we see one another in person, he comes to say hello. Coach Bridges has a great sense of humor and a way of knowing how to make you laugh and settle you down when you are not in the right state of mind. Being close friends with both of his sons, I get to see him often, which I am super glad for”, said Lindsey.

“As far as Coach Reid goes, as a player I love that he truly cares for us. He is not concerned with his own wins and accolades. He wants us to do well. He got put into a tough situation this year with the coaching change and fought hard for us so that we would not have to learn a whole new system under a new coaching staff. His willingness to fight for us means a lot to me personally because knowing my coaches and my boys are fighting for me drives me. It sounds cliche, but it’s the truth that fighting for the people you love and care about is plenty of motivation. If they have my back, I am gonna fight for them”, he later added.

It would seem that if anything AJ picked up from his coaches, it comes in the form of what he believes is his strongest trait – the ability to read people.

“I don’t know if there is a word for this, but I feel my best trait is being able to read people and make them feel comfortable; like they belong”, said Lindsey. “Nobody wants to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in their surroundings. Making them feel like they belong can go a long way.”

As always, I asked AJ to give some sage advice/wisdom for any aspiring young athletes that may be reading this. His response is appropriate for anyone looking to build strong bonds like he has with his family, community, and teammates. It is as simple as this – never stop having fun.

“If I had to give advice to a young athlete, I would say make sure you are having fun with your sport. You never want it to feel like you are going to a job you don’t like. High school sports should never be like that. Work hard and finish everything you need to get done. But, make sure you are having fun with it”, he said.

While AJ is currently dealing with a shoulder injury and will not be able to play this Friday night, he would still love for you to join his family in supporting him and the Cardinals as they host Asheville Christian Academy (Swannanoa, NC) with kickoff set for 7:30 PM at “Cardinal Station.”