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Monday, November 10, 2008
Mannon defines what is great about high school athletics
Houston, TX
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North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano was a man revered by many in sports.
Valvano once was quoted as saying, “How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal and you have to be willing to work for it.”
The more I think about it, this holds true for any person at any age. It can relate to business and it certainly can relate to the sports world.
I met a local high school athlete recently that is a perfect example of not quitting when the odds are obviously stacked against him. Come to think of it, over my 20 years in the television and writing business, I have come across many athletes on the high school level that the so called experts say should not have been out on the field.
Episcopal High School junior Seth Mannon refused to be told he could not go after his dream. Today he has proven everybody wrong.
“God has a plan for me and I just want to follow that,” Mannon told me before football practice in early October.
Mannon is a placekicker for Episcopal and is getting recognized by schools already thanks to a booming left leg that has produced multiple field goals in the 40 yard range. His high mark this season is 47 yards.
What’s first noticed when you see Mannon is not necessarily his 6-6 frame but the fact that he is missing his left arm. It was something he was born with but don’t feel sorry for him.
“That’s the last thing I want people to do,” Mannon told me. “Listen, when I am out there on the field it is my job to get it done. I have to hit the field goals or it hurts the team. The fact that I do not have a left arm should not be a factor at all. I don’t want it to be and my teammates know that. “
While missing his left arm causes challenges with balance when it comes to kicking, Mannon has overcome that and found ways to make it happen and be successful. It’s working because already two Big 12 schools have put Mannon on their radars as a player to watch when 2009 rolls around.
“That is exciting to know I have schools watching me,” Mannon said. “But if that does not work out I have plenty of other interests.”
Mannon is well rounded and has a passion for flying and he is already pushing towards that goal.
“I have a lot of hours up in the air already. Flying is really something that I like to do when I am away from school and football responsibilities.”
Like any player, the NFL dream certainly exists and Mannon already has his role model in Texans’ kicker Kris Brown.
“There is no question he is my favorite. I have had the chance to go to the Texans’ kicking camps and really learned a lot,” Mannon said. “Kris is one of the best and I hope to keep learning from him. “
For now, Mannon’s focus is on leading the Knights to the TCAL playoffs this season. Spend a few minutes with him and you will realize he has used what some would consider a setback and turned it into a positive. His faith has carried him through and Mannon is hoping somehow he can be an influence on other young athletes that may have some form of disability.
There is no doubt his impact has been felt. I know I was inspired.•
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