‘We Are King’ defender David Reyes: Discovering the universal language of soccer
The aspiring rapper and current defender for the Martin Luther King High School is pulled in two directions when it comes to his future, but he has one goal in mind.
Football
There are few things more universal than playing a team sport, particularly that of soccer.
Not many know that better than David Reyes, who features in Olympic Channel’s original series ‘We Are King’.
The six-parter follows the team at Martin Luther King High School who have come together to find extraordinary success.
David, who moved to New York in 2014, is a defender for the side – but between playing the sport and other commitments, he finds himself burning the candle at both ends.
Honduras-born Reyes joined the team after a turbulent start to life in the States, overcoming a multitude of obstacles to be where he is now.
“I knew nobody [when he moved to NY], I couldn’t make friends because I didn’t speak English,” he told Olympic Channel.
“But then I started playing soccer and that’s when I started making friends.”
It’s not just sport that means a lot to Reyes, who finds himself pulled in two directions: soccer or music.
As an aspiring rapper, being on the field or in the studio has become a safe space for him.
“When I’m in the studio, I forget about everything,” he added.
“Just like when I’m playing soccer, it gets me out of my stress, I don’t have to think about it [external factors].”
But factoring in the two things he is passionate about becomes difficult when he has to prioritise school and work, taking on the responsibility of helping his family financially.
A lot of four a.m. mornings are followed by late nights for the teenager, which can often lead to late showings at practice.
At the heart of it all, though, is the unwavering support of his family.
“He’s my only child, how could I not be proud?” his dad said.
“We have to support him in everything he wants – let him study, let him be something, let him make something of his life.
“He has a chance to do better in life than I have.”
The work ethic of his father is instilled within David, who says he is keeping his options open for the future.
It is not only a means of giving himself a bright future but giving back to his family too.
“I’m going to try my best to take him [his dad] off the hook and get them a retirement [so] they don’t have to worry about anything,” Reyes said.
Click here to watch all six episodes of We Are King for free on the Olympic Channel.