NATCHITOCHES—As elementary school students at NSU Elementary Lab School, wide receiver Camryn Davis and defensive end Braden Woods took part in many Chris Waddell Days.

Now, on the 21^st anniversary of Waddell's death, as a part of the Demons, the pair is able to take part in Chris Waddell Day from a different perspective.

"I remember going to the Chris Waddell Days all the time when I was here," Woods said. "I remember I had the best time having out with all the football players and wanting to be one of them when I grew up. Now I am able to experience what the other football players did when I was a kid and it's just means everything."

As redshirt freshmen, this is the first time they are able to take part on Chris Waddell Day as players, which honors Waddell, a redshirt freshman who died because of the effects of Kawasaki Syndrome – a condition that can lead to accelerated aging of the heart.

Since his death, every March 1 – or a date close to it since that day is a Saturday – Northwestern State football players visit elementary schools across Natchitoches to share Waddell's story with young children and spend time playing games with the students.

"It means a lot to be able to give back to my old school," Davis said. "The people, they still know me and look up to me and still think I am a good kid, so I am trying to prove them right."

The players met with kids from five schools—NSU E-Lab, St. Mary's, LP Vaughn, M.R. Weaver Elementary and NSU/Turpin Stadium Child Development Center.

At LP Vaughn, the players and coaches spoke to classrooms before going to the gym to play games with the first graders.

The players played games with the kids, including basketball and dodgeball, having fun and being able to celebrate a man who meant so much to Northwestern State.

"Personally, I think us players have a lot more fun than the kids do," wide receiver Dane Wallace said. "Just being out here, I know the kids look up to us a lot and knowing we can come out here and be an inspiration to them and having fun with them is pretty cool. Knowing some of their stories and seeing them, putting a smile on their face, knowing we made it better, you can't ask for anything better."

"This day means a lot," offensive lineman Isaiah Ybarra added. "It's great to be able to commemorate Chris Waddell and spend time with the little kids. It means a lot that while it's been a number of years since the Waddell incident, we still talk about him and commemorate him."

No matter how many seasons a player has played with the Demons, what is clear is that the team knows it has an opportunity to make a difference. They know the kids look up to them and do their best to be role models.

"This is a great opportunity for us to connect with the community, especially with the younger kids," cornerback Caesar Magee III said. "At one point, we were in their shoes, looking up to players in our hometown. It feels good giving back to them, coming here and to see the kids smile."

"It's an amazing opportunity to be able to honor Chris Waddell and give back to the kids of Natchitoches," cornerback Ja'Marion Bonner said. "They look at us as role models, so it's amazing to be out here and just play with them today."

The Demons players are thankful for the community support and knowing how much this means to children, they are aiming to strengthen an already strong bond between program and community.

"It's really awesome to be able to come out and support the community," offensive lineman Ryan Larson said. "They support us and it is great to come out and give back and hang out with the kids and have a good time."

In his second Chris Waddell Day, wide receiver Amaaz Eugene has a whole new understanding of the significance of this day and what it means for the players to go out and celebrate Waddell's life and going in the community.

"This day has gotten more special for me," Eugene said. "I've started to learn more as I've been here and have realized the significance of this because my first year, I didn't really understand, but now that I've been here, he definitely helps."