By Thomas Sellers Jr.
A lot of legendary families have suited up for the Tipton-Rosemark Academy Rebels.
From brothers to cousins to even father/son combinations, the bond of Rebel Football goes beyond teammates. The latest family to author a strong legacy under the red, white and blue helmet are the Fullens.
The recent past stars Mac, the all-time leading rusher in school history. The future will feature current eighth grader Nix. But the present involves their cousin Ellis, a junior wide receiver. And the man coming into the 2021 season is Mac’s and Nix’s middle brother Payne.
“Coming up as a freshman I was playing fullback and wingback,” Payne recalled. “I was a backup outside linebacker for my brother. I got on the field as a freshman but not a lot. I would always come in at some point during the game freshman year. Especially after Jake Roane got hurt. He and I were always switching out until he got hurt. I came in since then.”
The next season Payne’s contributions to the Rebel increased and he witnessed his big brother run TRA to the postseason. But it was the final game of the 2019 season, Mac handed Payne the baton.
“Mac was humble about it, he didn’t like talking about football much,” he recalled. “I looked up to him and all the great things he did on the field.
“After Mac’s last game his senior year, he came up to me and said, ‘It’s your turn,’” Payne continued. “I just tried to do what I could to make the team better.”
Payne’s junior season thrust him into the leadership role because he was the quarterback and he had to help the Rebels navigate the COVID-19 season.
Following all the procedures and new rules, Fullen relied on his natural abilities on game nights in 2020.
“I like to run a lot more,” he acknowledged. “That’s just me. Growing up I didn’t play quarterback until my sophomore year. Coach just stuck me in there. I hadn’t been practicing it much.
“I had to do what the team needed,” Payne continued. “I didn’t pass much my sophomore year. I had a couple of good games passing but most of it has been running. My brother was back there with me.”
Junior year Payne had weapons like Aidan Sprenkle, Tucker James and cousin Ellis. Ellis returns for his junior season in 2021.
“He is fast,” Payne noted. “He’s crazy fast, so I expect us to pass a lot more this year. Hoping I can get the ball out there to him. He plays more of a wide receiver, a little running back.”
Payne said his speed has improved since 2018. He might lose a foot-race with Mac and Ellis, but when it comes to defense Payne might be the best.
“I play outside linebacker most of the time,” he noted. “Last year I played a little bit of safety. I like hitting people.”
Hitting people, running fast and having field vision are on the resume of Nix already.
“I think he’s really a mix,” Payne noted. “He can do a little bit of everything. I think he’ll be pretty big. I feel like he come out he’ll be able to hit people and run over people.”
Nix won’t ever be able to share the field with Payne. Payne said he was blessed to suit up with Mac. And like his big brother, he wants to pursue education and work after graduation. Despite both Fullen brothers receiving college football offers, they desired something different post high school.
Fullen said he is happy just adding to the TRA Football legacy for the Fullens and he wants to set the bar higher for Nix.
“I grew up looking up to my older brother and we always would come to his game,” Payne recalled. “I ended up playing with him. I played quarterback and he played running back. We shared the backfield together.
“But Nix I will never be on the field with him,” he concluded. “He comes to our games and he stands on the sideline during our practices. I just want to show him he can do what he wants to if he just believes. I want him to be the best of the three and he says he will be.”
