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Hammond has big talent, bigger heart

Staff photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Hammond, shown with his mother Vivian Reese, is Wharton's third-leading tackler with 40, along with two sacks.

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2009

TAMPA - On the football field, Eric Hammond is big No. 52, Wharton High's 6-foot-3, 315-pound senior defensive lineman.

His size and strength make him a man among boys.

Hammond is Wharton's third-leading tackler with 40, along with two sacks. With interest from college programs such as Florida and USF, Hammond most likely will become accustomed to playing on Saturdays, and maybe even Sundays.

In a different setting, however, Hammond transforms from a hard-hitting defender. At home, he's "little big brother," who wants nothing more than to take care of his family.

Hammond, 18, is the youngest of four children, all raised by a single mother. His mother, Vivian Reese, has supported her family for 35 years as an employee of Tampa's transportation department. The past few summers, Eric has helped pay the bills by working construction.

But Hammond's contribution to his family doesn't end there. Since he could remember, he's been assisting his mother with the care of his older sister, Amy, who is autistic.

Reese, 54, said Amy, now 20, was diagnosed with autism in the second grade. Autism is defined as a neurological developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to comprehend, communicate and interact with others. According to Autism Society of America, there are 1.5 million Americans living with autism.

Hammond said Amy's condition has made him grateful for his abilities on the football field.

"That could have been anybody," he said.

Although he is two years younger, Eric always looked after Amy. They attended the same elementary schools and Eric would walk Amy to the local day care center when school let out. Throughout high school, Eric remained protective. During their three years at Chamberlain and brief time at Hillsborough High together, he routinely checked with Amy's teachers on her progress.

"I felt like I was the big brother," he said.

Last summer, Eric transferred from Hillsborough to Wharton. When he's not focusing on football, he tries to spend quality time with Amy.

"She likes to paint," he said. "I'll read with her and draw with her. We deal with it like she's a normal person. She's very joyful. She always has a smile on her face."

Although she can learn certain skills, Vivian said Amy may never live independently.

"She may have to live with me the rest of her life," she said.

Amy has never seen Eric play football, but knows he's good at it. At school, Vivian said her teachers compliment her on his success.

"She always talks about him," Reese said. "She always says, 'That's my big brother.' She knows he'll go off to college soon. She prays for him."

Vivian said Amy doesn't like to be in large crowds, which makes it difficult for her to attend Eric's games. With Amy's well-being at the top of her priorities, Vivian doesn't have many opportunities to see her son on the gridiron.

"Everybody is behind Eric," Reese said. "I make it to as many games as I can. I can't get to all the games because I have to watch her. My life revolves around her."

Eric understands.

"I told her, 'You don't have to worry about me as much as her,'" he said. "Last year I told her that."

"He grew up a little faster," Reese said.

Amy and Eric are scheduled to graduate next June, at which time Vivian plans to retire.

With only a handful of home games remaining in the season, Vivian hopes she can take Amy to see her little big brother play. On Senior Night, Vivian would like the entire family to walk out with Eric onto the field.

"That'll be great," she said.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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