Gifted Owensboro Athletes Stand Out Both On and Off the Field
Communication between twins is real, and it is evident in local sports standouts Eli and Evan Hampton. The two began playing T-ball together at a young age, and while Evan also played soccer, Eli went out for football. That changed in fifth grade, when Eli said he knew he needed his brother on the field with him, and told Evan he needed to play football.
“There’s a level of trust,” Eli said. “This is my guy, my blood, the one who has my back.”
Eli said sometimes it is just a look between them to know they are thinking the same thing in a game or when they are in a group at practice, and he knows what to say or not say in those moments.
“It’s real,” Evan said. “It’s unspoken.”
Both continue to excel in baseball with Evan playing centerfield and shortstop and Eli playing catcher for Owensboro High School, and both are on an elite summer travel team out of Indianapolis, where they played 21 days of July this summer in Atlanta, Wisconsin and Kansas City.
The bond between the boys is apparent in conversation, and while Evan says that they hold each other accountable, Eli said he is competitive with Evan.
“I want to beat him in everything I do; it’s a big thing,” Eli said. “Building that builds mental toughness.”
Evan said the competition helps them grow their relationship and goes outside of sports, and it is a bond he doesn’t have with anyone else.
Both focus on the memories being created and the stories they will be able to tell in the future.
“While we have these shared moments from Pop Warner to middle school, it’s now about repping what is across our chest,” Eli said. “Being able to share the field means more.”
While excelling at baseball, both say that being on the football field brings more emotional hype because of the crowds in the stands on a Friday night. The Hampton brothers are currently in their junior seasons at OHS, where Eli plays middle linebacker, and Evan suits up at running back.
Evan said that Eli is the extrovert of the two. Born 12 minutes before Evan, he is the vocal leader while Evan says he prefers to lead by example.
“It would sound corny if I tried to change and be vocal,” Evan said.
Both enjoy the moment they are in and live by the idea of being “where your feet are.”
Evan said that while others can’t wait to get to college, he continues to take it day by day. Eli added to that saying that each day, they practice being better and stacking those days so that they will be ready when the time comes.
“There’s a lot more to us than what is seen on the fields,” Evan said.
Both are active in their church and rely on their faith and their family at every turn. Evan said his mom has told him not to put all of his marbles in one basket and he has taken that to heart.
“I would love to play in the NFL or the MLB, but that isn’t my only goal,” he said. “I have other areas where I focus – school, the community and good communicator. I look at what I can do and that’s it. I want to be the best version of Evan Hampton as I can be. I want to help people and be happy.”
Eli also said his mom has impacted him by making sure he has a plan B. He hopes to be a Major League Baseball catcher, but he likes numbers and the market, so he thinks of being a financial advisor, too.
“I want people to see Christ in me; I put God in what I do and when I do, that’s when my life is on the right track,” he said.
Sometimes Eli is plagued by anxiety and work, but his faith simmers that down, he said.
“I trust in God; it’s a security to know God’s got me,” Eli said. “I just need to be the best version of myself and go day by day.”
Family is a stronghold for the boys, and both feel provided for and loved unconditionally.
“From having the right cleats and cleat tape…what I need to be safe…to the wisdom and guidance – that goes a lot farther than sports,” Evan said.
Eli is forever grateful for the support from their family, as well, and said the wisdom and encouragement they receive is awesome.
“This goes beyond sports,” Eli said. “I have two great parents and a large family in this community who love me.”
Evan said the fact their parents still give them household chores and responsibilities is training them to be great men. Community service is important to the boys, as well.
“I don’t want my identity being only a football or baseball player,” Evan said. “I want to leave Owensboro with people thinking I am a great guy.”
Eli said that Tim Tebow is an example of an athlete known for more than his work on the field.
“His identity now is how he leads through Christ,” Eli said. “I want people to see a great guy and a great human…to see the bigger picture.”
Both are sure of their footing with their family and faith and have found their footing on the football and baseball fields. For them, the most important part of this journey is how they leave others feeling.
“They may hate how we play, and they may tear us down,” Eli said. “But at the end of the day, we hope they say we are good people. That’s all we want.” OL
