Gerald Hector Welcomes the Dynamic Simmonds Family on a Special Edition of #ItsEasySon

The Simmonds family is shaping a soccer story that is deeply inspirational and is uplifting a number of parents and children who are interested in the sport. Howard University alums Gregory and Necole Simmonds simply set out to raise a family as all of us do after graduation. However, even before children arrived, there was a legacy in soccer and sports that was building right under their noses.

Gregory, a standout player at Howard University and who sustained a nine-year professional career (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Simmonds) comes from a long lineage of soccer players. His father and uncle represented the island nation of Jamaica. His older brother Sean was also a standout at the illustrious St. George’s College on the island. Gregory himself represented St. George’s College after tasting success in prepatory school.

Necole also came from a family of athletes with her dad playing in the NFL and CFL.She ran track herself, and was a cheerleader for the Bison family all four years of her matriculation at the Mecca. With these backgrounds, the expectation of their children being athletic was a given. However, there is a twist. They did not mandate that their children play sports. What transpired was a natural progression into soccer based on being around their parents, and more specifically their father Gregory as they watched him build his soccer and futsal academies over the last fourteen years. Today, the resumes of accomplishments of their four children are what draws so much inspiration and begs the question of what they did as parents to gain these results.

The resumes are impressive.

Daughter Kameron https://seminoles.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/kameron-simmonds/7893 has competed on the world’s biggest stage, representing Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz in their historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, and most recently captured a NCAA D1 national championship with Florida State University. Just a month after graduating college this past December, Kameron is set to begin her professional soccer career as well.

Son Nicholas (https://virginiasports.com/sports/msoc/roster/player/nicholas-simmonds), after had breakout year at the University of Virginia as a freshman. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year, ACC First Team All American, and was the first player in thirteen years to score a hat trick for the school’s program. If that was not enough, in the recent Major League Soccer Draft, with the third pick in the third round of the draft, he was selected by FC Dallas. Not to be outdone by his sister, he was a part of his club team, Richmond United, that won the U-17 ECNL National Title.

Twins Grant and Kai are well on their way as well. Following in their older siblings’

footsteps, they too have the soccer bug, or gene at this point. Hearing these young men

speak about their training and focus on their future, one can’t but be enamored with how

these young men are preparing for life in soccer and after.

This episode of “It’s Easy Son” promises to be one that will inspire parents, children,

coaches, and administrators who are affiliated with sports in general. This is a great way

to start 2026 with a reminder that dreams do indeed come true, but a huge part of that

realization is grit, tenacity, focus, and the support of family, friends, and well-wishers.

Join us for this episode and be blessed beyond measure.

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It's Easy Son is produced in partnership with the HBCU Nation. Learn more at HBCUNation.org