SCOTT HELPS GATORADE DONATE $1,000 TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS

When Payton Scott heard he got to donate money to a youth sports organization he knew just what to do, and he thought of his Aunt Billy. Scott, one of the greatest running backs in Sand Springs history, was recently named the 2017-18 Oklahoma Gatorade football player of the year and it came with a $1,000 donation to a sports organization of his choice. He chose the Special Olympics. Due to his grueling schedule of breaking football records and winning wrestling state championships, Scott never got participate in Special Olympics as a coach or counselor. “One of the nicest and best people I will ever know participated in Special Olympics and that’s my Aunt Billy. She is special needs and I know how much she loved Special Olympics, and I knew if I ever got the chance to help I would. It’s close to my heart, and I really chose that because I love my aunt and I knew it would make her happy if gave money to Special Olympics.” As part of the Gatorade “Play It Forward” program, all Gatorade Player of the Year winners are able to select a youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant to help the next generation of athletes reap the benefits of sports. Those athletes are Sand Springs Special Olympians. “I wanted to give the money to somewhere that I know it would be put to good use, and I know that there are good people in the association. I never helped with it and I always wanted to. I just never got the chance,” Scott said. Special Olympics coordinator Carrie Schlehuber was excited about the gift but wasn’t surprised. “When Payton approached me about donating his $1,000 award for Gatorade Player of the Year to the CPHS Special Olympics team I was so thankful, but certainly not surprised,” Schlehuber said. “Payton has demonstrated throughout his high school career that he is an outstanding and upstanding student athlete and this thoughtful donation continues to reinforce his character.” By the time Scott played his final football game and wrestled in his final dual, he owned all of the school’s rushing records, the Class 6A state single-season rushing record, an individual wrestling state title and two team state titles. A Gatorade banner with Scott’s name on it will hang in the gym at Ed Dubie Field House forever, and his generosity will live on for years to come.