| School: Grant | Graduation Year: 2005 |
Year Inducted: 2016
Sports Played: Football, Basketball, Track and Field
High School Honors: 4-year Football Letterman, PIL 1st Team, Junior; Defensive Player of the Year and PIL 1st Team and State 1st Team, Senior. Parade Magazine All-American.
3-year Basketball Letterman; PIL Honorable Mention, Junior, Senior.
2-year Track & Field Letterman, PIL and State Shot Put Champion, Senior. Grant record in the Shot Put, 614".
Post High School Career: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, All-American and Defensive MVP 2008. Winner, Lombardi and Bednarik Awards and Outland and Nagurski Trophies. Associated Press Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy finalist and Big 12 Academic Honor Roll in 2009. Engineering Degree in Construction Management, UNL. Drafted, 4 years with Detroit Lions; on 6-year contract with Miami Dolphins. All-Pro NFL five seasons; four pro-bowls. Substantial charitable support at Grant HS, UNL, Cameroon, Africa; literacy, Jamaica.
Commentary:
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have represented the PIL’s Grant Generals during my high school years. Outside of graduating, nothing made me more proud than being part of a team and wearing the Blue and White. I was blessed enough to wear our colors for more than one sport, football, basketball, and track & field and the honor was equally great.
I learned hard work, discipline, and doing for others through sports and I carry that with me today as not just a professional athlete but as an engineer and community leader.
Playing under the Friday Night lights in football set the stage for college, and beyond; winning State and setting a school shot put record in a sport I had to learn along the way taught me to take pride in my hard work and being my humble best. Basketball taught me so much about overcoming adversity and playing for more than just myself, knowing I had teammates that gave their last breath to do what they loved.
As my parents would say, "School first, sports second!" Being a student-athlete taught me how to prioritize, and take care of responsibilities so I could enjoy the fruits of my labor.
I’m thankful to be honored along side the other recipients and their wonderful achievements for being inducted into the PIL Hall Of Fame; it’s a day to be remembered! Thank you!