There is personality—the kind that you notice—and then there is T.D. level personality—the kind that comes with its own pair of 50-Amp fuses. I had the pleasure of meeting with this force of nature a few weeks after the school year started, and I very nearly needed a Red Bull just to keep up. T.D. is a man whose voice is as unmistakable as his presence. You hear him on Friday nights, high above the football field, calling out plays with the enthusiasm of a lifelong fan. His name is Jason “T.D.” Kersey, but to most, he’s simply “T.D.”—the sports announcer, coach, father of six, and proud Marine dad. It’s not just the gridiron where T.D. shines; it’s in every corner of the community, and it’s hard to imagine Momence without him.

T.D. didn’t grow up in Momence—he hails from Thornton, Illinois, a place known for its quarries more than its football fields. But in 2009, with a growing family and a desire to give his children more opportunities than he had, T.D. made the move to Momence. “I wanted to raise my family somewhere where they’d have a better shot at life,” T.D. says, his voice tinged with pride. And raise a family he did. Alongside his wife, T.D. has six kids, ranging from the oldest, Elijah, a Marine about to graduate from boot camp, to Layla, the youngest, who, at six years old, already knows she’s the caboose—and proudly owns that title.

With three boys and three girls, T.D.’s house isn’t quiet, nor is his calendar. “Our schedule starts out clean at the beginning of the month, and by the second day, it’s filled with practices, games, school events, and announcing duties,” T.D. says with a grin. But that’s the life T.D. loves, and if you’re imagining him hiding out in the garage to catch a break, think again. “I stay home with my kids after work, no running off,” he laughs. “We’re either at the football field or sitting around the table, going over the day together. I’m all in.”

T.D.’s confidence is evident—whether he’s talking about his family, his passion for sports, or the job he took over from a community legend. When long-time football announcer Jim Vickery retired, it wasn’t just a passing of the torch; it was a big moment for T.D., who had been learning the ropes under Vickery’s mentorship. “I’m a ‘challenge accepted’ type of guy,” T.D. admits. “But I waited my turn with respect. Jim was the voice of Momence football for years, and I wanted to honor that.”

Now, as the voice of Momence football, T.D. has brought his own energy to the booth. “I love this game, and I love these kids. Some of them I’ve coached since they were little. When they look up at the booth and hear me calling their name, it’s not about me—it’s about giving them that moment. I want them to feel the excitement, the pride.” And with a new field, a team that’s been on a winning streak, and T.D.’s infectious enthusiasm, there’s plenty of pride to go around.

But perhaps T.D.’s greatest pride lies not in the stands but in his son, Elijah, who at 19 as we speak in early September, is about to complete Marine boot camp. “Elijah has always been a quiet, thoughtful kid,” T.D. says, recalling how his son would play with toy soldiers as a boy, setting up elaborate scenarios where good guys protected the world from evil. “He always wanted to make a difference, even when he was just a kid.”

T.D. shared that he isn’t Elijah’s biological father, but you’d never know it. “I met Elijah when he was two years old, and I’ve raised him as my own ever since. He calls me ‘Dad,’ and that’s all that matters,” T.D. says, his voice catching slightly. “He’s a strong, kind, and smart kid. He could have done anything, but he chose the Marines because he wanted to serve. He wanted to be part of something bigger.”

Elijah is currently at Camp Pendleton, training to become a Marine. He originally aimed for a position in presidential security but will start his career in logistics. T.D. can’t help but beam when talking about him: “He wrote me a letter, thanking me for pushing him when he didn’t want to be pushed, for telling him to get up when he wanted to stay down. That’s when you know you did something right as a parent.”

As T.D. and his wife prepare to fly out to California for Elijah’s graduation, they’re celebrating not just Elijah’s achievements but also their ten-year wedding anniversary—a honeymoon of sorts they never got to take. “It’s going to be a special trip,” T.D. says, “Seeing my son in that uniform, standing proud, knowing all the work he’s put in—it’s going to be emotional.” Whether Elijah will make a career out of the Marines is still up in the air. “He’s talked about being a police officer,” T.D. says, “but who knows? He might re-enlist. Whatever he decides, I’ll support him all the way.” And if Elijah’s path inspires his younger siblings to follow in his footsteps, T.D. will be there cheering them on, too.

In the end, T.D. Kersey is a man who brings the same energy to everything he does, whether it’s announcing a football game, coaching a youth team, or raising a family. He’s not just a voice in the booth—he’s the voice of encouragement, of pride, and of unwavering support. And in a town like Momence, that can make all the difference.