Amir Hairston signs to play college football at Fairmont State | Sports

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Onward and upward.

Amir Hairston, whose career at Bluefield High School was short-circuited by leg injuries in successive seasons, has indicated he will make a move to Fairmont State and join the Falcons for the 2024 football season.

“I want to get back on the field,” says the running back who brought star potential to the Beaver program and then lost both his junior and senior campaigns after showing stellar progress in his sophomore season. Hairston was poised to join the lengthy list of BHS runners who have sparked the team to 11 state championships since 1959.

Athletic director Don Jones says of Hairston, “Amir will be a big asset to the Fairmont program. They are getting a kid who does the right things. Amir is the kind of person any team needs to be a success. He brings a good attitude and positive energy on and off the field.”

Hairston, who plans to major in biology with an emphasis on becoming a physical therapist, says he is very impressed with Coach Luke Barker and the FSU football staff, as well as the facilities on campus.

An A/B honor roll student, Hairston is the son of Tara Rozzel and Reginald Rozzel of of Bluefield and he says of his time at BHS, “Everyone here has been supportive, my teachers, the faculty and my classmates. I say ‘Thanks to everyone at Bluefield High School.”

BHS Principal Michael Collins concludes, “I am so proud Amir is getting his opportunity. He had some bad fortune physically but he has taken that and kept working, turning adversity into a positive. Fairmont is getting a gifted student-athlete.”

Long-time Bluefield assistant coach and offensive coordinator Fritz Simon says, “During his time in high school, Amir has become a strong student in the classroom. He would have been one of the most accomplished running backs we have had here but his body did not allow that.

“As a sophomore, we saw indications of the miraculous runs he would have had. We wish Amir all the best and look forward to seeing him play on Saturdays.”