Off-field freestyle: Gilmer football rapper brings team and community together

GILMER, Texas (KLTV) - In Gilmer, fans aren’t only cheering for the action on the football field — they’re also rooting on one of their own who is actively creating a soundtrack for the city.

“Aiden’s freestyles are something different,” Gilmer football quarterback and high school senior Zade Taylor said.

Aiden Thomas is a senior running back and safety — but he’s also a rapper.

“Back when I was a kid, I used to be in the car with my dad and we used to do freestyles and stuff with each other,” Thomas said.

And now he’s rapping for his team.

The Buckeyes have their own soundtrack, filled with bars by Aiden designed for his teammates.

“When people hear their names in songs...it just motivates them,” Thomas said, “The theme song goes week by week and every game is mentioned. So, when you listen to it and you’re at the game right at the moment it’s mentioned...it motivates you to wanna get out there and play.”

“It’s more than just his position group, or his clique or group of friends. He tries to make sure he covers the linemen or the defense,” Head Gilmer Football Coach Alan Metzel said. “His music is a unifying vehicle to bring the Buckeyes together.”

Before the game, the team gets hype to a theme song custom made by Thomas for his team.

“We ain’t gotta listen to nothing else, we got Aiden!” Taylor said.

And after a win — he busts out a freestyle on the spot.

“I know the beat beforehand that I’m gonna do, but that’s it, no words,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’m just God-gifted and it just comes natural to me. So when I get in there, I just feel the flow and just go.”

His teammates said they’re closer because of him and the new tradition is bonding them together like never before.

“It’s done a lot for our whole team and environment and culture,” Taylor said.

“This year everybody is altogether,” Thomas said. “We’re all in, that’s our motto. So, it’s a different vibe around the G (Gilmer) this year.”

“We’re bonded together way more this year than last year,” Taylor said. “Everybody is just coming together and we’re really one now.”

Even the coaches are buying in...

“Coach Metzel! He bobs his head when he hears it, that’s how you know everything is different now,” Taylor said.

“Oh yeah! I’m pretty eclectic!” Metzel said. “I like all different types of music. Every team takes on a different personality, this one is getting closer by the day and I think his music is a big part of that.”

And all of Thomas’ music is 100% clean.

“I can’t respect him enough for that,” Metzel said, “That’s important to him.”

“I want everybody to be able to listen,” Thomas said. “The principals are able to listen to my music without finding a clean version, the whole city, the kids...”

And that means we can also share it on the news!

“We out here on the news, shout out KLTV you know the G on the move...” Thomas freestyled.

“Aiden is not just a rapper or a football player,” Taylor said," He’s actually just such a good person...Like during the first game of the season, I got hurt, but Aiden stood by my side the whole game to make sure I kept my head up."

“I expect big things from Aiden Thomas,” Metzel said.

Aiden’s music can be found on any platform under “LUH AIDEN.”

He hopes to continue his athletic career into college as well as his music career — his dream job is to be a professional athlete and rapper at the same time.