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Larry Foote honored at high school alma mater
By Stefani Rebekah Black February 1, 2006 |
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Steelers starting linebacker Larry Foote was honored at his old high school Alma mater Pershing High School in Detroit where Foote graduated in 1998. Foote was warmly greeted by a throng of young admiring high school students who welcomed back one of their own. The drive from the Super Bowl hotel to Pershing was old dilapidated vehicles, beat old homes and buildings, and worn down neighborhoods that reminded Foote of his youth just eight years ago after learning to play football in college. "Used to be, he would walk through these hallways and you wouldn't have even known he played football. He was so unassuming.," said former Pershing Principal Emeral Crosby. The welcome that Foote got was something Foote will never forget and neither will the students at Pershing. Students at Ryan and Steven Mile Road hung signs saying "Go Steelers, Good luck Larry Foote." A pep rally welcomed Foote set up by Crosby, school administrators, and faculty for Foote to address students. Foote was overwhelmed by the students asking for autographs, signatures for yellow t-shirts that said "No.1 Dough Boy" a reference to the school's nickname for the sports team. The Mayor's office of Detroit also sent a representative down and presented a plaque to Foote. Foote approached the podium and not realizing he gave a speech that anyone there student, faculty, administration, media and family members would never forget as Foote opened up saying, "look at me I'm no different than the kids at Pershing right now, I was there eight years ago. I wasn't the best student, know what I'm saying? But I was a dreamer." Foote had mediocre grades at Pershing and barely made it into college. When Foote was introduced to the students who were made up of football players, cheerleaders, teachers, coaches, administrators and family members he was given a huge ovation. Foote became a father while a student at Pershing "from a girl I used to mess with" Foote found out about the time he was becoming a starter for the Steelers that he was a father and ever since then has taken full responsibility of taking care of his 10 year old son. "It helped my career, being more focused; I've got to be home at night. And you know, so much joy and peace. It was rough at first. You might say, it was macho, but it was difficult just to hug him. It was something I had to work on. As time went on, we've gotten much closer." said Foote. Foote spoke to members of the media later, "its great to be home, to be back here I had some great moments in this building. It's made me who I am today." Stefani Rebekah Black is covering the Steelers camp and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento and co-hosts raiderfanradio.com each Tuesday night. |
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