Sports often give birth to the most beautiful fairy tales. And some of them are brought by fate to start their incredible journey from our country, following in the footsteps of the famous Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen from the time of his trip to Greece (1841), impressed by the colors and landscapes he saw. .

His most important heroes were people with extraordinary mental abilities, kindness, talent, generosity. A young man with these characteristics is the hero of a modern fairy tale, Giorgos Karlavitis, a 22-year-old stubborn NFL champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, a former Panathinaikos and national youth team player who conquered the United States and American football and speaks in “K” about everything, what he experienced.

He was born in Marousi in 2001, grew up in Psychiko and lived in Greece until the age of 13. It was a “black” year in 2014 when he lost his beloved father Matio to a heart attack at just 44 years old.

“When I heard the bad news from my mother, my uncle and his very good friend — they were all together when they told me — I burst into tears. I couldn’t understand it. However, after 2-3 hours, something inside told me that I should find the strength in myself to stand up for my family, to support them. I knew I had to be there, especially for my brothers and my mother.” Matios Karlavitis will leave behind an American wife, three boys and a girl.

13-year-old George had to put his feelings aside. How could a child turn a huge “should” into action?

“I remember being in the polo pool in training and crying, so for no reason. It was a very difficult time. A moment that lasted months and years.”

What gave him the strength to stand and stand, besides “necessary”, besides duty? Two very important people in his life.

“Grandpa basically. Grandpa George and Uncle Aristide. I learned everything from them, from my father and mother, and relied on them all these years. I knew that I should be there for my brothers and mother. Everything they needed, I had to be there for them.”

While we are talking with Giorgos, his grandfather is standing opposite him in a chair, cross-legged, supporting his head with three fingers of his right hand. An aristocratic figure, reserved and noble, listens, records, thinks, observes; you seem to be in control (always in a good way) of the quality of the conversation.

“My mother is from the USA. That’s where her family is. We thought it was right to go there after the death of our father, because life is easier and there are more opportunities. Now I live in Kansas, my mother and brothers are in Indiana,” says George and continues: “I grew up in a family where love comes first. It was #1. My grandparents taught me this. Love is true, religious faith, respect among family members, and also towards other people. That’s all.”

George’s fate… seemed sealed as his family environment developed and sports took center stage in daily life.

“Mom went in for sports, but not at a high level. Both sides of my family are athletic. Mom basketball, swimming, volleyball, different. My father was involved in athletics and some football. I knew from an early age that I wanted to play sports. Sometimes I wanted to be a football player, sometimes a basketball player, then a polo player, and I ended up in American football.”

George’s father suffered a serious head injury while playing football while still a student in Miami. He was forced to give up the sport and completed his studies with a doctorate in civil engineering, and in Greece he became an adjunct professor at the Polytechnic Institute with an important research project. On the day of his death, he became a professor at the department (it is worth noting that the young researcher award “Mateos Karlavitis” was established).

But how did Giorgos move from polo to football? The sudden death of his father changed everything in his life.

“In French there is an expression “c’est la vie” (such is life). This is life, as they say in the USA. Things have happened in my life. Plans have changed, my life has changed, my environment, my friends. After 6-12 months in the US, I made the decision to switch to soccer.

American football, the ball is like … melon, helmets, shoulder straps. Why does football culture seem so far away in Europe? “I think it’s the same as European football, football that doesn’t have the same recognition in the US. Football is a completely different sport, a sport, I would say, barbaric and rather difficult to understand. Maybe that’s why it’s not played that often outside of the US. There are some efforts being made in England and Germany, from what I hear they are going well, but it is a difficult game and very expensive. Imagine that the equipment is very expensive. Helmets, especially pants, shirts, shoes cost at least $1,000. It is very difficult to understand it as a sport because of the rules, theories, etc., but also because it is a very dynamic sport,” he tells us.

And then the Americans and his coach Andy Reed got to the point that they called him the Greek Freak. A characterization that amuses Giorgos, although his grandfather doesn’t seem to accept it because the copyright has already found a recipient.

“As a title, it is very honorable. What Giannis Antetokounmpo has done not only for himself but also for his family and for Greece is enormous. To be compared to Giannis is a great honor. I haven’t spoken to him yet. I would very much like to meet you. And as a fan, and as an athlete to an athlete. I haven’t figured it out yet. Because as a child I saw him and said: “Oh, I want to be like him,” and now that I am also a professional athlete, it’s hard for me to realize this.

“Football is a barbaric sport and quite difficult to understand. Maybe that’s why it’s not played that often outside of the US.”

Watching the NFL’s best moments, it’s hard not to wince in pain or surprise as players collide like Nascar cars. How did George manage to work technically, physically, mentally and create the athlete we admire today?

“Firstly, I have good genes that I inherited from my grandfather and parents. I have a good height of 1.94 by 1.95, I have speed, and the average American does not have that much – and I do not say all this in a self-deprecating way. I realized from an early age that I have athletic ability. However, school was an absolute priority. I always knew that to achieve something I would have to work very hard. This is what my family taught me. And I achieved it. Knowing nothing about football, I reached the top with my team. It comes after hard work, love, sacrifice and principles. Whatever principles you draw from there, they will accompany you along the way, either positively or negatively. It was the main thing for me and my family.”

“It pleases me and will delight me for the rest of my life,” he says with complete confidence. “This is a very big achievement, which I like and satisfies me, but to the limit. I should already start focusing on next season. I want to do more things. Both with the team and to improve as a player. Become a better player to help your team.”

A successful athlete is also a role model for young people. It practically “includes” in every house. He “enters” the children’s room, the family, through a TV, a poster, a photograph. In addition to sports, an athlete should also be a model of life, principles, and values. Does this “responsibility” put pressure on him?

“No. What I want to say to all the kids, mainly in Greece, but also in the US, who see me and say, ‘I want to be like him,’ is to follow their dreams. I have had crazy dreams in my life with since I was little. And here I want to say that parents should support their children. I have always had support from my family. I have never been told: “Oh, you’re crazy, what are you talking about. You should “have trust – when it’s built – and believe in yourself. Always follow your dreams. If I had to send a message to young children, it would be one thing: follow your dreams and believe in yourself. Family principles will always follow you.”

Greece has not been George’s base for several years. However, what binds him to her, he tries to keep “close” to him. “Here I have my cousins, aunt, uncle and grandfather. I visit once or twice a year, as far as my schedule allows, and I know that I always have a family. I have friends, a small house in Paros that I love and where I will go every summer, and of course I have a grandfather who we talk to every day. I always have Greece with me. On the top of my helmet that I had during the Super Bowl, I had a Greek flag on the back. Greece will always be with me.”

– This is a very difficult question (after a pause of a few seconds, his eyes sparkle) … Motherland. That’s what I would say. Motherland. It includes everything. USA… I would say possibilities. Many chances.

– I would say so. Many people there don’t believe it. Mostly natives for various reasons. If you come from another country and have power, then yes, it is clear that this is a country of opportunity. In the US, one of the most important things is organization. If there was a way in Greece to give children opportunities, especially in education, that would be ideal. Opportunities and organization, especially in education.

Green color is something special for him. When he sees the shamrock, when he hears about Panathinaikos, his thoughts go to his favorite team.

Panathinaikos since I was little. From the maternity hospital (s.s. here is George showing me with a smile that stretches from his ears, photo. He was two days old and his uncle in a Panathinaikos T-shirt held him in his arms). Born in Panathinaikos. My father, my grandfather, my brothers, my cousin George. Of course, the other half of the family (uncle, grandmother, etc.) are Olympians (laughs). From a young age, I watched the football and basketball teams, and later became a polo player. I dreamed of playing polo in Panathinaikos and also participating in the youth team.

Before we say goodbye, Grandpa George intervenes and “writes” the epilogue: “When my grandson left for Kansas, the people on the team asked me, ‘What can George offer us?’ I answered them: “I don’t know what he will offer football. I know you have a very good child ahead of you.”