Looking Out For Others, On The Field And Off
By Young, Jeff | |
Proquest LLC |
Sports Writer [email protected]
So when you talk with him about duty, he may think about passing a Red Raiders conditioning test or completing a course in exercise science, his field of study. But not about the many ways in which he spends his own time.
"I see it as I want to be a blessing to other people," he said last week.
Latham, the former Solanco High offensive line standout preparing for his senior year at Ship, recently was nominated as a candidate for the Allstate Insurance Good Works Team - a vehicle to recognize community-minded players from all levels of college football. He could become one of 11 young men from across the country chosen for the
Honored as he is by the nomination, it's nothing that Latham ever had in mind when he began giving to others - years before he arrived at Shippensburg.
He explains it today as growing up in a family of strong faith, and following the example set by his parents, Steven and Donna. They taught him about treating others the way he'd want to be treated. They introduced him to the age of accountability, and the concept of putting his faith into practice.
By the time he reached high school, Latham said, "I really started to make my faith my own."
That meant traveling to
"He would give the shirt off his back for you," former Solanco football coach
Solanco assistant coach
"That kind of thing where he's seeking wisdom from older people who have been through it before, instead of trying to go at it on his own," Lenhart said. "Maybe that's the one thing that really set him apart from other guys, that he's been willing to be humble and to ask, to look for wisdom in places where he knows he can find it."
At Shippensburg, Latham's off-field efforts have included volunteering with the
He still calls Lenhart "my spiritual mentor," one for whom he was especially thankful during the past two years, as he dealt with adversity on the field.
Midway through the 2012 season, he was starting at right guard for an unbeaten
It was the first major injury of Latham's career, and it tested his patience to a point where he considered leaving the sport behind.
"It was extremely, extremely tough," he said. In the end, though, he decided the effort was worthwhile.
"I think it really hit him," Lenhart said, "that this is the time - he's never going to have it again - to play football. ... I think that's what made him want to keep going."
He played through pain last fall, starting nine games and seeing action in 10 as the Raiders went 7-4. Only this past spring, however, did Latham begin to feel he was all the way back. Now he calls himself 110 percent recovered, and looking forward to his senior year.
When he graduates, Latham plans to return to
You might say he's the kind of investor anyone can believe in.
(Copyright 2014 Lancaster Newspapers. All rights reserved.)
Copyright: | (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |
Wordcount: | 745 |
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