Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Retired firefighter who broke color barrier among those being honored
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Two blowouts, one night
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
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.
Get the full article here.
