How Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington created a bond with Special Olympic athletes in Brentwood

BRENTWOOD — Taylor Washington paces around the field, going from station to station, looking to help as many as he can. 

One by one, Nashville SC's defender is going up to each Special Olympic athlete in his group, showing them what to do next. 

It's the final day of a five-week clinic between Tennessee Soccer Club, Special Olympics Tennessee and Nashville SC at Flagpole Park in Brentwood on Tuesday.

It's Washington's third time helping out around 40 Special Olympic athletes. The athletes, ranging from ages 8-35, go through drills for about an hour with Nashville SC players and coaches, and players from Tennessee Soccer Club.

Washington is energetic around them and has a smile on his face. He's built a relationship with them. 

He works with the athletes for about an hour, teaching them the fundamentals of soccer. He strikes up a relationship with each of them, remembers their names, cracks a few jokes, high-fives them and celebrates when they score a goal. 

During the final session, the athletes play a quick game against each other. Washington, along with fellow defenders Darnell King and Ken Tribbett, watch and encourage each of them. 

The clinic ends once the final whistle is blown, and Washington and the rest of his teammates huddle around in the middle of the field. 

Washington's day began at Ensworth for training as Nashville SC (3-2-2, 11 points) prepares to play Atlanta United 2 (3-4-1, 10 points) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and ended on a different soccer field with a different perspective.  

"You leave here and forget about everything else going on in the world," Washington said. "You're just present and enjoying everything in the moment."

No stranger to Down syndrome or Autism 

The clinic had extra meaning to Washington.

His cousin, Patrick Bonner, has Down syndrome and Autism. Every Christmas, Washington makes the trek to New Jersey with his family to visit Bonner. 

Washington says any touch or interaction with Bonner is hard, but they've found ways around it. For Washington, it came through hugs. 

"He would have his moments of tantrums and everything and we would talk to 'Pat Pat' and 'Pat Pat' was able to calm down," Washington said. "To be out at an event that's honoring him as well as so many other people, it touches my heart a lot."

Over the five-week clinic in Brentwood, Washington started relationships with a few athletes. One of them was Caleb Tardy. 

Tardy, 15, has Down syndrome. 

The two would banter back and forth. Tardy calls Washington a chicken. Washington would respond with a joke of his own. It was constant between the two of them.     

Tardy's mother, Betsy, said they recently moved from Lubbock, Texas, and were searching for a sport to get her family involved in. 

"(Caleb) loved it. He's a super friendly guy," Betsy said.  He's loved playing, he's loved being with his friends. ... I know it's Special Olympics, but they absolutely feel like they are doing the real thing, and having these guys [involved] just reinforces that."

How the clinic got started

Tennessee Soccer Club began a partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee a few years ago with the intention of expanding soccer to the athletes. 

Up until February, there was not a Special Olympic soccer program in place in Williamson County. Misty Germek, the technical director of soccer for Special Olympics Tennessee, took over from there.

She put together the pieces, and Nashville SC joined in. 

A total of 45 participants registered for the five-week clinic and about 38-43 showed up each night. 

"We thought it would take years to build up to having the numbers that we have," she said. 

Germek said she wants to expand the clinic next season. The idea is to have each soccer club in Tennessee participate and have a buddy Special Olympics program.

It would end with a state tournament involving each of the clubs and the athletes.  

Having Washington and Nashville SC involved is a bonus.  

"You can't forget the smile on their face, you can't forget their names," Washington said. "It's more than easy. I just hope they remember mine."

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.