When Brett Skinner was going through summer workouts in 2019 to prepare for his 8th grade football season, he started to feel extra tired and lacked energy. At the time, he and his family thought at the time it was just due to being out in the heat and being run down by hard workouts.
“I just couldn’t really stand out in the heat and felt light headed a lot,” says Brett. “I would get so tired and fatigued throughout the day but I just thought it was something everyone went through, a normal part of life.”
“I kind of feel bad in hindsight because I didn’t give him the compassion he definitely deserved finding out how sick he was,” says Melissa Skinner-Smith, Brett’s mother.
The family didn’t realize something was really wrong until Brett went in for his physical that summer before his football season.
“My heart rate was just flying, like 130 beats per minute just sitting and resting,” Brett remembers.
They knew something was wrong but it wasn’t easy to figure out just what that was.
“We went to five doctors in four days — or four doctors in five days, but it was a lot,” says Melissa. “When you hear something is wrong with your child it is really scary at that point not knowing what it meant.”
“We always walked out with the same answer of 'We’re not really sure, but we can send you to this guy or this doctor,'” Brett says. “That was definitely an unsettling feeling for sure.”
All of the tests on Brett’s heart checked out, but it wasn't until they did bloodwork that they discovered a problem with his thyroid. Brett was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. Some initial medication did not help that much so Brett and his family decided surgery to remove his thyroid would be the best option. That surgery was done in December of 2019.
“It was definitely a pretty hard thing to hear,” says Brett.
While those months leading up to the surgery were difficult, the almost instant results after it were a welcome relief.
“It was really like watching a miracle because none of us had any idea how fast he would recover,” says Melissa.
“I was able to be a kid again, have a lot more energy and life to myself,” says Brett.
The other positive effect following the surgery was that Brett had a significant growth spurt almost immediately.
“In 6 months he grew 6 inches and put on 50 pounds,” says Melissa.
“It was like a whole different body I grew into in a short amount of time,” says Brett.
Feeling better and stronger, Brett turned his attention back to football. He could now workout again and was excited to get better heading into high school. After playing freshman football and JV the past two years, Brett was able to make the varsity team at Westlake this year and head into the season as the Chaps backup quarterback. When Westlake’s starter got hurt week one, Brett would get his first start the following week on the road, at tradition rich Converse Judson.
“I was ready, everyone on the team had my back and supported me,” says Brett. “It was an awesome ride for sure.”
Brett threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, leading Westlake to a win that night. He says there were definitely some nerves but also a calmness to playing as well. Mom had a different feeling watching from the stands.
“I had the greatest tears of joy for him because I knew how hard he worked to get there,” says Melissa. “Just to overcome the health adversities, it was just really great to see that.”
Brett led Westlake to wins in all the games he started, including one over rival Lake Travis. When the Chaps starter returned mid-season he resumed his role as the backup but has had important contributions at different times, including in their 3rd round playoff win. No matter his role, Brett has the perspective to just enjoy the opportunity.
“It definitely makes you appreciate everything so much more,” says Brett. “It makes the little practices or warm-ups feel extra special, just really get to enjoy them.”
“He’s learned through his thyroid and his injuries to just remember he’s so much more than a football player,” says Melissa. “Also to just have fun out there because it can all change in an evening or in a day.”
He’s having fun being a part of an undefeated Westlake team that has a good shot at winning their 4th state title in a row.