Football: Crenshaw’s teenage role model
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It was close to an hour after Crenshaw’s 55-0 victory over Westchester. All of the Cougars’ players were long gone except for one player helping carry an ice chest. It was De’Anthony Thomas, a junior player so talented that Pete Carroll or Rick Neuheisel would do somersaults if he went to their school.
His character is as impressive as his speed. Now I know why all the youth players flock to Thomas, whose nickname is Black Mamba, one of Africa’s most dangerous snakes. Thomas is a hero in the Crenshaw community, someone who works hard, plays hard and sets a great example for those who want to be recognized on and off the field.
Whether playing free safety or running back, Thomas creates positive moments on the field. But what I see from him off the field and the way he treats people is far more revealing of where he’s headed in life.
-- Eric Sondheimer