JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — Even as a kid, Trevor Etienne knew it was farfetched.
“I would be lying if we sat down and was like, ‘We talked about how it was going to happen,’ the Panthers rookie running back admitted this week.
But life is funny. As Etienne discovered dreams do come true, and sometimes when they do, they turn out even better than imagined.
“It is really like a full-circle moment for everyone,” he said. “You know, me and my brother, we are the ones that are competing, but it took everyone.”
And now this weekend in Jacksonville, it all culminates.
“Half of Jennings is going to be there!” said dad Travis Etienne of the family’s hometown. “I guarantee it.”
The elder Etienne says the matchup is the talk of their Louisiana town. His youngest son Trevor is a rookie for Carolina while Travis Jr. is a veteran in the Jaguars’ backfield after an illustrious career for Clemson. And here’s what makes Sunday’s opener even more special: It’s the first time they’ve ever faced off.
“We are not that close in age,” 21-year-old Trevor said. “We are five and six years apart. We were never in the same age group. Now we compete in the highest level there is. It doesn’t get any better.”
Oh, but it actually could, and the former Georgia running back knows it.
“I’m wishing him the best,” said Trevor. “Go compete but we have to leave with the victory.”
So it’s on. Brother against brother. Trevor and Travis made it happen but they know they didn’t do it alone.
“I tip my hat,” Trevor said. “(I’m) thankful to have my family as my circle to help us get here where we at today.”
It’s a family blissfully divided.
“You want to see something,” Travis Sr. asked before revealing a split Etienne jersey with two teams that were created 30 years ago. Carolina on one side, Jacksonville on the other.
You can’t make this stuff up. But you can watch it happen on the football field.