You heard it here: AMS student, an NFL enthusiast making picks and starting conversations

It was Jan. 14, 2018, when Porter Hopson fell in love with professional football.

He was 7.

“It was the Minnesota Miracle,” he said when asked what was the moment that made him a huge NFL fan. “I remember watching that game at home.”It was the play-offs.

The Saints were winning by one point. There were 25-seconds left in the game.

“Vikings’ Stefon Diggs scored,” he said.

Porter shakes his head and smiles. That was it. He was hooked.

This week, the Aspen Middle Schooler, who is now 14-years-old, will send his weekly “NFL Picks” report, along with a brief rationale for his picks, to the AMS teaching staff. 

“I look at the strengths of the team to see what the quarterback is doing and see if they are good enough. Quarterback is key,” he said.

He has become the (unofficial) AMS sports analyst and aficionado of sorts. 

There is no betting or no brackets to fill out. It’s just a great conversation starter. And Porter can talk about football with anyone, says AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski.

She recalls one of the first serious conversations she had with Porter was about her beloved Packers. Now, she asks him questions about different teams and quarterbacks and wants to get his opinion.

Porter’s NFL Picks report started last school year with a few teachers on his mailing list, she said. Now, it’s a weekly anticipated must-read among the whole teaching staff.

“Porter is a kiddo who has grown up a ton since coming to Aspen Middle School,” she said. “That is the most fun celebration, is Porter taking on projects like this that are pretty special and schoolwide.”

Porter, who is from St. Louis, is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan - he even dressed up one year as Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the AMS Halloween Fun Run. And, he’s been to a Chief’s game, where he got to watch from the box suites. 

“My dad pulled off some magic,” he said, recalling the famous athletes who were among those in the nearby suites. He even planted a kiss on the cheek of the Mom of the Chief’s Defensive Tackle.

Porter works with Occupational Therapist Walker Mills at school. She is part of the Exceptional Student Services Team of special service providers, including school psychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, counselors, paraprofessionals and behavior interventionists, who work closely with teachers and district administrators to support students and promote student self-esteem, self-efficacy, and sense of well-being by increasing performance, participation, and independence in meaningful student activities. 

Each week, she looks forward to her meeting with Porter, where no doubt they talk football.

“Porter knows more about football than anyone I have ever met,” Mills said.  “His expertise, passion, and willingness to share his knowledge of the NFL with friends in the Aspen School District make my heart smile. He is a joy to work with, and I am very proud of him.”

He’s not shy. He knows everyone. And he is kind hearted, fun and charismatic. Teachers write back to Porter and tell him what they think about his picks and conversations are born.

“It’s just fantastic,” Mills said. “Porter’s Picks  is a highly motivating and meaningful activity that enables Porter to engage with friends and Aspen School District staff while working on  several academic skills such as typing and editing, composing formal emails, as well as content writing- using persuasive and expressive language.”

And for those keeping score, in Week One of this NFL season, Porter was 12 and 4 in his picks.

Football is his favorite, but he likes other sports too. Last March, he did a podcast with a teacher during March Madness. And at the end of last school year, he did play-by-play announcing at the annual AMS Teachers vs Students Basketball Game. He models his delivery after Joe Buck of ESPN, his favorite sports commentator. And, he plays a game called Madden NFL, a football series sports video game with detailed playbooks and player statistics, that helps him hone his game winning predictions, he said.

Porter has not ruled out being a sports announcer in the future. “Maybe,” he said.

But for now, he leaves us with this for Week Four of the NFL season: “Give me the Lions,” he said, over the Seattle Seahawks. 

His thinking: They are playing at Ford Field. The Lions have not beaten the Seattle Seahawks since 2012. 

“This is the year they will win,” he said. 

You heard it here.

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Photo: Walker Mills, occupational therapist, and Aspen Middle School eighth-grader Porter Hobson, sit together writing Week Four of “Porter’s NFL Picks” report, an AMS weekly must-read.