Recruiting: Crenshaw running back De'Anthony Thomas is emotional in his decision

To see the most recognizable, visible and popular high school football player in Los Angeles decide to leave town for Oregon is pretty stunning.

But I have to admit I have even greater respect for Crenshaw running back De'Anthony Thomas after seeing him stand at a podium at Crenshaw and make the announcement Wednesday. That was one tough decision not to pick USC, a school he had been committed to publicly for eight months and a school not far from where he lives.

Whatever happened on his trip to Oregon last week sure made an impression on Thomas, who said he was comfortable with Eugene, the Oregon players and the Oregon offense.

But you also can tell how emotional Thomas was. Tears were coming down his face, especially when he vowed to return to Crenshaw and coach when his football days were over. In other words, he's leaving town, but he's not going to forget those who helped him along the way, and he promises to return.

We'll see if this turns out to be a good decision, but I admire his courage and fortitude. And he said his days being known as the Black Mamba are over. He's now Baby DT.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[ero]

I don't agree with everything Alito said, but I do agree that sometimes it's best for people to change their environment. Those of us who are no longer adolescents know that we all had to break away from our parents (in multiple respects) in order to mature and have our own life. We couldn't live at our parents home forever if we wanted to forge our own life and our own identity. This is analogous. I think it showed real strength.

B-Ball Purist: He signed with Oregon, not Auburn.

[KRS Kringle]

De'Anthony is a class act. He went with his heart, and he's got guts. I have no doubt Shaw will welcome him back with open arms.

[NDAlum]

My opinion is DAT made a good move and will fit better into the Duck's system and style of play than at USC. Talented young man, wish him all the best

[GET REAL]

Im glad that the black mamba choose to go away to college. Hopefully he can win a heisman there.

I do hope that the oregon helps him with his communication skills thou. "YOU KNOW"

[Thomas Alito]

I know why he left, and it has a lot to do with the ghetto mentality -- while I am disappointed that he bailed on USC, to the detriment of my favorite college football program, I commend this young man and his parents for fising above the sludge that rises from the streets of Los Angeles and getting out of town for a clean, fresh start without all the clutter he would have faced at SC.

Reality: It is 5.1 miles from Crenshaw High to USC. This guy is the real deal -- barring injury, he's heading for the NFL. And what do you see from many of the ghetto players in the NFL? They "roll" with an entorage of homeys, a bunch of fair-weathered hangers on -- leeches for lack of a better word, looking for a free ride and a good time -- that is, until the money runs out.

I am sure those leeches from the hometown have already tried to sink their claws into this guy, looking for that free ride and a decade of decadance. Of course, for many of these big time players, it comes with a huge set of problems -- the entorage is involved in fights, shootings or other criminal activity when out with the player -- especially at nightclubs, bars, or strip clubs. How many times have we read about this? There's always a free flow of narcotics and prostitutes, none of which benefit a world class athlete in his true pursuit -- excellence on the field (and in the wallet).

A gifted athlete from a rough ghetto neighborhood, attending college on a football scholarship just five miles from home -- a recipe for disaster. I know -- I have seen it as a student at USC many moons ago -- local boys on scholarship, with 10 or 20 uneducated thugs prowling the frat parties and other festivities on campus -- our players were Trojans, so we were brothers in arms. Their homeys were not -- they got in fights, intimidated, and generally tormented the student body while on campus.

This is the best thing for this young man -- get 800 miles away from the homeys, hangers-on, and the street thugs and get a fresh clean start. Although bad for SC, it's one of the most stand-up and brave decisions by an inner city athlete I have seen in a long time!!!

[Bronaton]

De'Anthony I'm proud of you and your decision. Take God with you and he will show favor.

Shaw Pride!!!

(Keymon's father)

[Just]

Eric, what do you mean if it's a good decision? Bottom line is for him to get his degree period doesn't matter where he goes to school. Why are so many people bitter because he chose Oregon?? Life goes on he chose where HE wants to be at. It's about him not anyone else. It's his life, everyone be happy for him.

[basketball purist]

I wonder how much dirty money the Ducks paid to get him from USC?

[23rdJackson]

I've never seen DAT play but have been captivated by his recruiting for the past month or so.

I was moved by his speech...even though I am not a fan of the zeros (or the trojans) I certainly hope he does get his degree and comes back to the South Central community.

Good luck Baby DT.

[bballing]

You know!