INDIANAPOLIS — Back in August USA Today did an article on “The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in America” and Indianapolis was ranked No.13. Based on 2017 crime data the violent crime rate was 1,334 per 100,000. We had 156 homicides. While the poverty rate was 20.9 percent as the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. Those were the facts.
So as I’m watching/covering college football this past weekend I couldn’t help but notice all of the lil’/big homies that I covered in high school from Indianapolis that were playing big time college football. Cats like David Bell from the FAR EAST SIDE (Warren Central) ballin’ at Purdue playing against DJ Johnson (North Central) and Julius Brents (Warren Central) at Iowa.
I saw Reese Taylor (Ben Davis) get a pick for the Indiana Hoosiers to seal the victory over Maryland. Then I looked up and saw Markese Stepp (Cathedral) score a touchdown for USC. Gerrid Doaks (Lawrence Central) popped three touchdowns for Cincinnati. Don’t let me forget Secretariat from the FAR EAST SIDE Romeir Elliott (Warren Central) finding the end zone down at Southern Illinois. These are just some of the cats that made big plays on Saturday. There were more but you get my drift.
To be from the 13th most dangerous city in America and still make it to college is a blessing. Football has given these young men an opportunity to see more of the world than just Indianapolis and to be exposed to one of the most important things in life, opportunity and great influence. Just being on a college campus exposes kids to professors, administrators, coaches and oh yes big time boosters that could offer them jobs down the road etc. You don’t have to be a star on campus. You just have to be an active participant on campus.
I love Naptown and the people in it. I’m from Gary, Indiana and have been here for 21 years so Indy is now home. When I was growing up in The G it was the murder capital of United States. However, great people still came from there and still do. Just like great people come from Indianapolis in spite of the crime statistics.
I’m writing this joint because I want to help encourage our young people to become great at whatever it is you decide to do. You can go to college and represent just like these young men are doing on Saturdays. You don’t have to be a big time athlete to represent either. You can be a great student or both but what you do have to do is put in the work.
These cats aren’t in college because they just woke up one morning good enough to be there and stay there. They had to grind consistently and be willing to take correction to get better daily. Growing up in a dangerous environment can be difficult but only the focused will be able to navigate the land mines to get where they’re trying to go.
Big shout to all of the kids that are doing major work from Naptown that are in school creating futures for themselves. God is good ALL of the time. Stop me when I start lyin’!
