(Recent Stamford High School graduate Khairi Fortt is in San Antonio this week for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the 10th anniversary of the bowl. Past alumni of the bowl include the likes of Tim Tebow, Terrelle Pryor, Noel Devine, Mark Sanchez, Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush. Fortt won the ‘G Award’ at Football University’s Top Gun this past June in Florida as the elite camp’s top defensive player. Fortt, who is heading to Penn State, will be blogging about his week in San Antonio.)
Part of bowl week here in San Antonio is the fact that each U.S. Army All-American is partnered with a soldier hero. This is usually a soldier who has seen combat or a tour of duty. It’s more than just a partner during the week, it is an opportunity to share with them and learn from them.
And we also try to show them up a bit too. Just because our uniforms don’t have camouflage doesn’t mean that we can’t go to battle.
During the Player/Hero challenge last night, I was paired up with a soldier who was shot in the leg in combat. He and his friend were being shot at and his friend was killed right in front of him. He was running and got shot at when he was climbing a fence. He wears a bracelet now with the names of the soldiers in his group who were killed and I thought that was really intense.
I mean, to be reminded of that every single day makes you appreciate life a little more. He was actually pretty calm when he was talking about it — I guess that’s just reality for him, which is pretty sad. I guess when you’re in the army, you’re trained for that too.
After that we went back to the hotel and we were chillin’ with the Football University Youth All-Americans. I had a group of linebackers that was I talking to — I was trying to mentor them a little bit. I spoke to the kids about how to improve their speed, what colleges are looking for in high school players, and different things to work on.
Practice today was freezing, 25 degrees with the windchill. Coldest day I’ve ever had in a stadium. What made things worse was that I got absolutely belted during practice by Robert Crisp. I had tried to cheat on the play a little bit — coach told me to line up on the five-yard line and I was on the three-yard line. In comes along Robert Crisp and just floors me, feet off the ground sort of stuff. That and the cold, wow, not the best practice ever.
Next time, I’m listening to my coach. Just in time for Happy Valley.
Yesterday I turned on the TV and there you were on the football field. I had read in the newspaper that you were in San Antonio for the US Army All-American Bowl. It was awesome to see you on national TV and to read your comments about your experience.
Enjoy your time at Penn State. Learn, study and play hard!
Say hi to your parents.
Dr. Fine
Retired Assistant Principal of Scofield Magnet Middle School
Comment by Dr. Linda Fine — January 10th, 2010 @ 11:35 am
I’m sitting here at work on my break and I just had to send a little message. First of all my son Christopher Evans missed his bus to his Basketball Game on Saturday Afternoon. I asked him why, where were you? I was watching Khairi Fortt play in the All American game. OKAY
Not good that you missed the bus to your game. But, The Principal of his Prep School take him there. He didn’t start as of his punishment and he was okay with it. He just wanted to support and watch a friend.
Khairi, I wish you all the best at Penn State. God Bless you…..and Good Luck.
Comment by Theresa Evans-St.Victor — January 12th, 2010 @ 12:11 pm