by Andrew Hammond | al.com
When Chris Richards was attending Hoover High School, most probably assumed he’d follow in the steps of his father Ken, who played basketball at Birmingham-Southern, and eventually played overseas.
However, much like paths in life, things change.
That’s when the younger Richards, who was 16 at the time needed to let his father know that his path was changing. Something Ken knew Chris was battling.
Basketball or soccer?
“I’m a 16-year-old kid, how do you have a serious conversation with your dad about what you want your future to look like,” Chris Richards told Tom Rinaldi of Fox Sports.
It was then, that a 16-year-the old Chris Richards ventured away from Alabama, joining the FC Dallas youth program at 17, a year after being cut in his first tryout.
From there, Richards has ascended to the greatest soccer leagues in the world, playing at Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga, and eventually landing at Crystal Palace of the Premier League. Chris eventually played an important part of the club’s history as they won their first-ever FA Cup and European trophies.
Richards also has the distinction of being one of the few American players entering a World Cup as the reigning U.S. Soccer Player of the Year.
Before the World Cup began, Richards came home to Alabama to open the FIFA Arena in Birmingham, a first around the country.
“For me, it was kind of a full-circle moment,” Chris Richards told Tom Rinaldi. “Since I left Birmingham, I’ve seen myself grow and I’ve seen my city grow. Hopefully inspire the next generation to do better than I did.”
As Richards, a kid from Alabama looks to raise the U.S. men’s national team to greater heights, he understands just how important the path for him has been.
“I don’t think I could’ve dreamed where I’m at today,” Chris Richards said. “All of the setbacks — my parents, this community got me ready for these moments.”
