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Virginia Tech recruit Wilson says playing football is privilege
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009
CANTON: Team USA tailback David Wilson had no trouble speeding past French defenders in an opening-round 78-0 rout Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.
He finished with four touchdowns and 181 yards on 12 carries.
It's what he does on the football field.
Who he is looms larger than that.
Before Wilson torched France for 93 yards on his first four carries of the game, he charged onto the field carrying the American flag, an honor bestowed upon him by a team vote.
Wilson is a patriot first, a football player second.
''It's a wonderful feeling. It's overwhelming,'' Wilson said Monday. ''There are not enough words to describe to be able to represent your country; just
the pride that you have in your country and being able to show the world the pride that you carry in your country.''
Wilson, a Virginia Tech recruit and Danville, Va., resident, has had no problems garnering attention during his prep career. He was the 2008 Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia and was ranked by Rivals.com as the fourth-best running back in the nation and 40th prospect overall.
''He makes a cut, and when he takes off, he just changes all your angles of pursuit,'' Team USA coach Chuck Kyle said Monday as his team prepared for a game Wednesday against Mexico. ''He just disrupts that. You think you have him, but you don't.''
Yet Wilson doesn't see himself as a star, not even after his performance Saturday.
''I don't ever look at it as a standout,'' he said. ''I look at it as a team, Team USA.''
Wilson, whose teammates elected him captain, said football is a privilege, not a priority. He feels blessed to be good at the game, but he realizes there are more important things in life.
His brother Ronald, 23, is entering his fifth year with the Navy and is stationed in San Diego — one of the reasons David's teammates selected him to carry the flag.
''I would have been in the Navy right behind him if I wouldn't have gotten a full scholarship, but to be able to represent your country and the game you love . . . '' Wilson said. ''I was blessed enough to get a scholarship.''
He is presumably already making Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer proud. Before joining Team USA, Wilson had been familiar only with the Wing T-style offense. It's an offense that focuses on more specific running lanes instead of the read-and-react style that Beamer and Team USA use in the I formation.
''He wasn't used to that when he got here,'' Kyle said. ''Well, if you look at the first game, he learned quickly.''
And learning is something Wilson is always eager to do, Kyle said.
''The more and more you get to know this kid, the more and more you realize he has great character and he has his values exactly where they should be,'' Kyle said. ''He is a humble kid and he is willing to learn.''
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
CANTON: Team USA tailback David Wilson had no trouble speeding past French defenders in an opening-round 78-0 rout Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.
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