By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The past three months have been quite eventful for Brownsville St. Joseph alumnus Kai Money, whose story continues to grow and inspire athletes across the Rio Grande Valley.
Money was one of the top quarterbacks in the RGV while he played for the Bloodhounds before joining the University of Texas football team as a walk-on receiver. He scored the first touchdown of his Longhorns career on a 6-yard pass during a game against the University of Texas-El Paso on Sept. 12. He has eight catches for 65 yards this season, but his biggest reception didn’t come in a game.
On Nov. 12, Money received the news that he was being put on scholarship. Longhorns coach Tom Herman had Money’s parents, Phillip and Lisa, help surprise the receiver with the news in a video played at practice before the team swallowed Money in a celebratory hug.
“I actually had no idea it was going to happen,” Money said. “I was super surprised when I saw my face on the screen. It was just an awesome moment. I was really emotional because it’s always been my dream to play college football, since I was a little kid. Just knowing that I took the harder route, or the less common route, and that it finally paid off by earning a scholarship, it just means the world to me.
“Honestly, the best way I can describe (this season) is it’s been like a dream come true,” Money added. “Very, very humbling to see all the support. I’m just extremely thankful, especially with everything that’s going on with COVID and not being able to see my family as much because of social distancing, to be able to find joy and happiness in playing for the Longhorns.”
The 2018 graduate surpassed 13,000 total yards of offense and scored 155 touchdowns in four years with the Bloodhounds. Despite his eye-popping stats, Money didn’t receive any offers or preferred walk-on options after high school. He made the Texas team after impressing at a walk-on tryout in the spring of 2019, and his work ethic carried him to this latest milestone.
One of the first people Money called after being placed on scholarship was St. Joseph coach and athletic director Tino Villarreal. The small population at the private school fosters strong relationships, and the bond between Money and his Bloodhounds coaches goes far beyond football.
“I’m super close with Coach Tino and the middle school coach, Coach Sammy (Lucio) — he actually coached me in elementary also,” Money said. “I talked to them while I was in high school about my goals and dreams of playing in college, so it was really hard for them, too, when I didn’t get any opportunities out of high school. Being able to call those guys who have seen me practice hundreds of times, for them to see all the work finally pay off, that’s what made it so special.”
Villarreal said it was an emotional phone call that made him tear up with pride. He called his former player an inspiration and a testament to what athletes from the Valley are capable of, proving that “we do belong (at Division I schools) and we can hang with four- or five-star recruits.”
“He’s gone through a lot,” Villarreal said. “Being a walk-on or a practice squad guy, you’re the guy that everybody’s going to beat up on, and you’re never going to get reps and you’re never going to get looked at. It becomes mentally draining, and you start questioning why you do it. I’ve had a lot of conversations over the years with Kai about chasing his dream. To watch that pay off, that moment that he called me, I felt honored and proud. That’s why you coach — because you hope you can be part of someone’s journey as they accomplish things that they don’t even think are possible.”
Money said living his dream hasn’t been easy. He said “countless workouts and training sessions have been put into this,” but it was worth it. And he wants other athletes who feel overlooked to know they can achieve their goals if they work for them, too.
“I knew deep down that I could play at the next level,” Money said. “I could have easily given up football and just focused on school, which is not a bad option, but I decided to try it out because in my heart I knew that I could play. It’s about perseverance, and having that drive and determination every day. Persevere is the main word I want to get across because it won’t be easy, but at the end of the day, if you fight through all the tough times, then something good is bound to happen.”