The Houston Gamblers Football Team: The Impact of Reading Both On and Off the Field

Scholastic Kid Reporter Kush Kalra attended the game at Shell Energy Stadium with the Houston Gamblers going up against the St. Louis Battlehawks. 

The crowd roars in vibrant harmony as the team clinches another touchdown. Fans of all ages dot the seats, a sea of black and red, their intense fanaticism palpable. And although each fan appears different on the outside, their hearts join in this moment, united by a devout loyalty to their team. 

On May 24, I attended the Houston Gamblers football game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at Shell Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Houston Gamblers are a professional football team, competing in the United Football League. The players and staff shared with me the impact reading has had on their lives, both on and off the field. 

Kush Kalra interviewed Defensive End Malik Fisher on how consistent reading helps him stay sharp. 

The Parallels of Reading and Football 

Defensive End Malik Fisher joined the Gamblers for the 2026 season. Before becoming a professional football player, he played for Villanova University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. Fisher explained how literature and football are closely connected, despite how separate they may seem. 

“People underestimate the way in which reading affects your brain health, and [allows] you to stay sharp—your language, the rhetoric that you use. When you go into sports, you're learning playbooks. You're understanding language in a certain way. It translates [to sports] and keeps you fresh,” Fisher said. 

Kush Kalra interviewed Communications Specialist David Goriola about his favorite childhood reads. 

A Growing Love for Literature 

David Goriola is a communications specialist for the Gamblers. He attended the University of Houston and worked for the Dallas Renegades, another team in the league, before joining the Gamblers this year. He underscores the importance of reading in promoting connection and developing empathy — on the field and off. 

“In elementary [and] middle school, people were reading more sci-fi fantasy books. I just liked realistic fiction. I like an underdog story. [They] give me a new take on [how] everyone's human. Everyone's the same person,” Goriola said. 

During the off-season, Fisher reads at least ten pages a day despite his busy schedule. He delineates how, although reading initially felt boring to him, his interest in literature grew with continued practice. 

“As you actually dive into [reading], it's like watching movies or TV shows. It's interesting. You close the book, and it's like, I can't wait until tomorrow to get back to the next page,” Fisher said. 

The Greater Impact of Football 

During the post-game press conference, Head Coach Kevin Sumlin shared his reflections on the team’s performance. Sumlin played for Purdue University and, most famously, served as head coach at Texas A&M University. Coming from a family of educators, Sumlin emphasized that, like education, football provides opportunities for individuals from humble backgrounds, allowing them to reach their full potential despite societal standards. 

“In education, you see people from all walks of life. [Similarly], in football, you can’t see color, race, and money. You have to see ability and trust, no matter where you’re from,” Sumlin said. “Without this game, [some] couldn’t afford to play or to go to college. Hopefully, we’ve been able to help others the way that this game helped me.” 

Watching the Gamblers on the field made me realize that football is not just a sport but also a place where people with different pasts can connect, learn, and share a sense of kinship.