For the Teten brothers, sports were never just games. They were a way of life, a shared language spoken through long road trips, late-night practices, sibling rivalries, and unconditional family support.
From one sport to another, Timothy, Christopher, and Alex Teten, hailing from Dublin, have always made sure one thing stayed constant: representing their last name the right way.
Today, Alex is 18 and in high school, Christopher is 20 at McMurry University and 25-year-old Timothy has taken on the role of coach.
Growing up, competition was simply part of being a Teten.
“We’ve always had competitions in everything we do,” Alex said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, we're competitive. We still compete to this day every time we see each other. But we always celebrate each others’ success too.”
Their journey didn’t happen by accident. It was built on sacrifice especially from their parents, Rodney and Tammy Teten. They made sure their sons had every opportunity to succeed.
“We would fly around constantly for baseball games,” Christopher said. “Our parents did everything they could for us to have the exposure we needed.”
That constant movement, pressure and preparation shaped not only their athletic ability but also their character. Quitting was never considered.
“Don’t ever give up,” Alex said. “Once you give up, that’s kind of failing, and you don’t want to fail. Just keep going, be happy in everything you do, and enjoy it while you can.”
As the oldest brother, Timothy naturally became the example the others followed. Having played multiple sports growing up, he now shows that experience coaching youth athletes in basketball, football and baseball. His leadership has helped young players develop not only skills, but confidence.
“My coaches were very intelligent, and that encouraged me to really learn the game,” Timothy said. “It helped me so much growing up, and it made me want to pass that knowledge on to younger kids.”
Timothy’s approach to coaching reflects the lessons he learned from his own mentors, especially his high school coach, who inspired his way of teaching.
“Everything I teach comes from him, Coach Parker. He inspired me a lot on the basketball court for sure.” Timothy said. “He showed me what a good coach looks like.”
His goal now is simple, create an environment where athletes improve, work hard and still love the game.
“Coaching keeps me around doing what I love,” he said. “The few years I wasn’t coaching, I really missed it.”
To his younger brothers, Timothy has always been more than just the oldest. He's been a leader and role model.
“My brothers respect my advice because they know I know what I’m talking about,”hesaid.“Sometimes they’ll send me videos and ask what they can fix. That means a lot.”
As the middle brother, Christopher carved his own path while carrying the same family standards. A multi-sport athlete in college, he developed a reputation for discipline and composure especially under pressure.
His dedication paid off in major ways, helping his teams win championships in both baseball and football.
“I always just wanted to be the best I could be,” he said. “I never compared myself to anyone else. I just focused on being the best version of myself.”
In football, the McMurry War Hawks were the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Champions.
They also won NCAA Division III Baseball Regional Championship.
For Christopher, it was more than a game, it was an emotional experience.
“Being on the field with my teammates, knowing we had all worked so hard and achieved this together… it felt incredible,” he said. “It’s not something everyone gets to experience, and I was just really grateful.”
Christopher credits both his parents and his upbringing for that mentality.
“She just wanted us to be successful in life, and she always pushed us to be better,” he said of his mother. “They pushed us, but never too far. They wanted us to be better for ourselves.”
Even when facing setbacks, including an injury late in high school he refused to let obstacles define him.
“It was frustrating at first, feeling like I couldn’t help my team,” he admitted. “But I knew I had to stay patient, stay focused, and trust the process.”
Faith played a big role in those moments. He leaned on a Bible verse his older brother once shared: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “That verse really reminded me that pressure is temporary, but purpose is lasting,” he said. “Whenever I felt doubt or fear, I went back to it. It helped me stay calm and focused and ultimately be part of those championship teams.”
The youngest brother, Alex, grew up watching Timothy and Christopher compete and learning from them. Their influence shaped his drive and confidence.
“My older brothers were definitely my biggest mentors growing up,” he said. “Seeing them succeed made me want to do it too.”
Alex developed a passion for basketball while also playing football and baseball. But his journey hasn’t been without challenges. A recent collarbone injury sidelined him for several months, forcing him to confront fear, frustration and uncertainty.
“When I first got hurt, I was honestly scared,” Alex admitted. “I wondered if I’d ever play the same again. But knowing my family was behind me, my mom praying for me, my brothers encouraging me. It gave me peace and the confidence to keep going.”
He also carried that mindset into major career milestones. When approaching his 1,000th career point in basketball, he focused on discipline and calm rather than pressure.
“I knew if I overthought it, I wasn’t going to be able to do it,” he said. “I just stayed in the moment and trusted the work I’d put in. The relief and excitement when I made it… it’s hard to explain. It felt like all the hard work and all the sacrifices paid off.”
Alex’s perseverance reflects a mindset that has guided him through injuries and challenges alike: “I don’t quit. I never have,” he said. “Giving up is not an option. You just let it go and keep moving forward. The more you do that, the stronger you get.”
Despite their different personalities and playing styles, the brothers agree on one thing: being part of the Teten family means something.
“We’ve always been competitive, not just us, our whole family,” Timothy said. “We come from great parents who sacrificed time, money and energy to get us where we are.”
Their bond goes beyond wins and losses. It’s built on respect.
“Chris is very humble,” Timothy said. “He lets his play speak for itself. Alex is more vocal. He'll tell you he’s good. But they’re both great athletes and even better kids.”
For the Tetens, sports were never only about trophies or stats. They were about growth, discipline, and gratitude lessons that continue shaping their lives long after the final whistle.
And while their future paths are still being written, one thing is certain: Sports didn’t just make them athletes. It made them brothers who push, support and believe in each other no matter the scoreboard.
(Editor’s note: The Dublin Citizen is pleased to have Tarleton State Journalism major Darianys Guzman write with us this semester. She will be focusing on sports features for her advanced reporting/Senior Capstone class).