Local QB looks to continue football career overseas
Courtesy photo/ Raiden Rickets is looking for community sponsorship to help him get to the Down Under Sports Program in Australia.
KELLOGG –– A former Wildcat quarterback is looking to turn a trip to Australia into a potential way to stay on the gridiron.
Raiden Rickets wrapped up his Kellogg football career last fall after leading the Wildcats to their second straight 3A playoff appearance.
After grabbing an All-Intermountain League award as the signal caller for the Cats, Rickets transitioned into basketball season where he had a quietly great year as one of Kellogg’s most lethal weapons on the hardwood.
Despite that success he knew where he wanted to return to and that was the comfort and security of the football field.
“I feel like football is the one sport where I can compete no matter who I’m on the field with,” Rickets said. “It’s where I feel the most at home.”
Rickets was invited to represent Idaho as part of a football team this June at the Down Under Sports program in Australia.
Rickets will have the opportunity to play against other standouts from the USA, but will also test his chops against a few international players as well.
Rickets has a dream of playing college football, but is still waiting for that call-up.
He thinks this could be where he can get his name out there.
“If I can prove myself against other guys from all over the world, maybe I can turn that into some sort of scholarship opportunity,” Rickets said. “I know that I'm not ready to give it just yet.”
While in Australia, Rickets will spend five of the 10 days playing football games, and the other will be spent getting to see the Outback country in all its grandeur.
Rickets is hoping that the community will help him achieve his goal.
Although athletes get selected for the program, that doesn’t guarantee them a spot, and there is still a cost to participate.
Rickets has raised roughly half of the money he needs on his own, but is still looking to raise the remaining $2,500 by early-June.
Donations can be made by visiting DownUnderSports.com/OKH-WXF (case sensitive), by phone at (435) 753-4732, or by reaching out to Rickets himself at his Facebook page.