Walking like a Warrior
Christian Academy of Knoxville senior fulfills 24-hour project
Quarterback. Running back. Outside linebacker. Safety.
The Christian Academy of Knoxville junior filled those roles and more for the Warriors last season, becoming an All-Region selection in the process.
Moreover, he did so while battling back from a knee injury he sustained earlier in his career.
But as tough as Anderson has become through the years, he has not faced any challenge like the one he took on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25.
For his senior capstone project at CAK, Sawyer walked around the school’s track for 24 straight hours to raise money and awareness for No Athlete Left Behind.
“Founded by former NFL player Lee Smith, No Athlete Left Behind is a donor-led organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth athletes,” the NALB website reads. “By providing essential resources, mentorship and opportunities, we aim to help young athletes overcome challenges both on and off the field, fostering success and personal growth.”
Sawyer encountered the organization while training at Triple F Elite Sports Training, the gym Smith started after he retired from professional football.
Sawyer credited Triple F for his recovery from injury, wanting to find a way to give back as part of his project.
But it was only when his dad, Layne, suggested walking that this idea came to fruition.
“For projects, my wife and I have tried to always come up with something as big and significant as possible,” Layne Anderson said. “There have certainly been some remarkable capstone projects here, so I told Sawyer, ‘Let’s do something big that will impact lives and challenge him mentally and physically.’ And I coached track for years at the collegiate level, so I said, ‘Hey, could you just walk for 24 hours and raise money?’”
They agreed on the plan and received approval from CAK’s capstone coordinator to set the idea into motion.
From there, they set up the donation website — https://noathlete.org/get-involved/sawyer-anderson-nalb-supporter/ — and set an initial goal of $7,500.
In the days since, people have donated more than $10,000, which will sponsor two athletes for a full year in the NALB program.
“And we will keep the donations open and see if it gets more traction,” added Sawyer, who answered questions while walking during the first 10 minutes of his challenge.
He walked alongside his dad, who noted he would remain alongside his son “as long as my 58-year-old legs will hold up.”
During the initial moments, father and son remained buoyant and energetic.
Still, Sawyer knew those feelings would not last through the full 24 hours — especially when factoring in logistical concerns such as eating and using the restroom.
“We’re just going to go through and make those things as fast as possible,” he said. “We can eat while we walk, but we figure we can walk to the bathroom and it’s okay.”
As for predicting how he would feel upon completing this challenge?
“It’s probably going to be pretty tough,” Sawyer said. “Hopefully I can hold it together for one more night because I’ve got prom. But, I like to
find stuff I can do to push
myself mentally and physically, so this will be hard in the moment. Looking back, it will be a great thing to say I did this.”
