“It’s One Of The Proudest Moments I’ve Ever Had”: Sullens On Taylor’s Mr. Football Award

Warren County Senior C.J. Taylor made history on Tuesday when he became the program’s first Mr. Football Award winner after leading the Pioneers to an 8-3 record and a berth in the playoffs.

While he doesn’t coach him in football, Pioneers Basketball Coach Chris Sullens says it was a moment that he doesn’t believe he’ll forget anytime soon.

“It one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had with a young man I’ve coached,” Sullens said.

Sullens has coached C.J. since he was a freshman at WCHS, and one of the first things he remembers is Taylor’s mother and their first interaction.

“I remember talking to his mother as he walked in as a freshman,” Sullens said. “His mother looked me square in the eye and said ‘You coach him like he’s your own and you’ll never hear a word from me.’ It was just a proud moment knowing I have watched that young man grow and prosper, and a mother that works her tail off to provide for her children the way that needs to happen in today’s society.”

Parents aren’t perfect, and like any fan, they can get caught up in the atmosphere of a big moment like Tuesday’s ceremony in Nashville, but Sullens maintains that more parents like her would make the world a much better place.

“I have nothing, but respect for that young lady and the kind of children she has raised,” Sullens said. “I have said this a couple times in this community; this world needs a whole lot less of Lavar Ball and they need more of C.J. Taylor’s mother. I was really proud for him, and I was doubly proud for her and just knowing where they came from and how they’ve done it. It’s been a huge honor to be a part of C.J. Taylor’s athletic career.”