KISSIMMEE, Fla. — People who play football use it as a way to have fun. Some use it to help better themselves and some use it to get away from the reality of life.

Tohopekaliga High’s Andrew Hines uses the sport for all three. When he puts on his jersey, it just means more to him.

"It reminds me there is more to football than going out there than just hitting people," said Hines. "Made a ton of relationships that will last a lifetime. Ultimately playing under Coach Diso (head coach Anthony Paradiso) has been amazing."

These are some wise words coming from someone who has only been playing the game of football for the last five seasons. The defensive lineman started playing in the eighth grade, and it's a sport Hines has learned to love.

"Man, the grit, being able to whoop someone that is your own size," he said. "The thrill of being able to have a clean shot at a quarterback or clean shot at a running back and take everything out right there."

Since he has stepped onto the field, he has created a family bond with his teammates at Tohopekaliga.

"I think the guys I have met are going to be family and not replace what my mother had with me, but definitely fill in that spot," said Hines.

In 2020, after a long battle, Kristi McCune lost her battle against cervical cancer at the age of 46.

"She was my world. She sacrificed everything she could have ever wanted for us, my siblings and I," he said. "I miss her voice. I still have some videos of us talking on my phone so I can go back and listen, but definitely miss hearing her voice."

Hines says it's really special listening and watching to voice memos and the videos on his phone. It helps him remain connected to his mother.

"It means the world. Being able to see her smile again, all the good moments, a good collage of everything we have done together, it means a lot," Hines said.

To help him grieve with the loss of his mother, family members suggested playing football to cope with the pain.

"So we had to find something out, something to channel my energy, get my mind off of things, so we decided that Pop Warner football might be the best," he said. "I think it has helped in a healthy way for sure."

The work he has put in and off the gridiron has now led to a college scholarship. Earlier this year, Andrew decided where he wanted to go.

"January 28th, I committed to the University of South Florida," Hines said.

And once he stepped on campus for a visit, it didn't take long to determine he wanted to be a Bull.

"About three hours. I was on campus, I was there for the junior day, maybe an hour," he said. "Coach Patrick (defensive line coach Kevin Patrick) offered me, showed me around the school a little bit by myself and I was like, 'Man, like, this guy, he matches my energy, I love this.'"

Another reason why Hines chose USF is the opportunity to get playing time early in his college career. He will have a chance to do that because of the combination of his size and athletic ability.

"I’m about 6’5” and 270 pounds, but my explosiveness, my twitch, my mindset to keep getting better was a huge part of it," Hines said.

Playing in college and earning a scholarship would’ve made his mother full of joy, but Hines says her reaction would’ve been contrite.

"I don’t think she would say anything. I think she would just hug me," he said. "I think that she would be so proud of me right now and if she were to say anything, 'I’m proud of you.'"