Forever Young: My Athletic Journey

I entered this world on Holloman Air Force Base, NM, the last of six warriors in a family that would shape my destiny.

As the youngest child of Captain Robert and Dina Thornton, I was born into a legacy of excellence, though I didn't know it yet.

Being the final act after three sisters and two brothers meant I had front-row seats to greatness from day one.

Picture this: A young kid, eyes wide with wonder, watching his older brothers dominate the football field and tear up the track.

These weren't just my siblings – they were my first heroes, painting pictures of possibility with every touchdown and every lap.

While other kids had posters of superheroes on their walls, I had living legends right in my own home.

Then came that day. The day that's forever etched in my memory like a scene from an epic sports movie.

My brother Voight was running the 400m anchor leg, and we were behind – way behind.

150 meters behind, to be exact.

What happened next was pure magic.

I glanced at my Dad in the stands, this proud Air Force Captain who'd seen it all, and what I saw changed me forever. Tears.

Not tears of disappointment, but tears of witnessing something extraordinary unfolding.

Voight began closing that impossible gap. With every stride, the impossible became possible.

Then something incredible happened – the opposing team's fans, a sea of red jumpsuits, rose to their feet. In that moment, rivals became family, all united in witnessing pure human excellence.

That's when I understood what sports truly meant. It wasn't about the scoreboard or the medals. It was about those moments that transcend competition, when excellence brings humanity together.

When bitter rivals stand and cheer for the opposition because greatness demands respect.

You see, being an athlete isn't just about what happens between the lines.

It's about:

• Family gatherings around the TV for the big game

• Early morning training sessions where dreams are built

• Victory celebrations and tough-loss consolations

• The stories we'll tell our kids someday

• The bonds that turn teammates into family

That's why I'll always be an athlete.

Because being an athlete means being part of something bigger than yourself.

It means carrying forward the lessons learned from watching my brothers, the tears of joy in my father's eyes, and the roar of an opposing crowd celebrating excellence.

Today, as I lead QSN, I carry these memories like sacred tokens.

They remind me why we do what we do. Why we push boundaries.

Why we celebrate not just the victories, but the journey itself.

So here's to staying forever young.

Here's to the athlete in all of us.

Here's to the memories we've made and the ones we're yet to create.

Here's to family, both blood and chosen.

Here's to sports, the great unifier.

Here's to you, my QSN Qrew.

Because we're all on this journey together, and the best chapters are still to come.

Much love,

Jeff

From the last-born to a first-class mission: Inspiring athletic excellence and building communities, one story at a time.