PHOTO CREDITS: Sabrina Victor
BY SABRINA VICTOR
It’s the opening game of the season, against Coral Springs High School, and the Cowboys are down 21-0. The Colts are fourth and long, and proceed to punt the ball. Senior Terry Whittington decides to step in and take charge to help the returner take possession. The kick lands short but as the ball comes toward Whittington, he takes the opportunity to run it back, with a jolt of speed, for a 65-yard touchdown. At that instant, the crowd erupts into cheers.
Cooper City High School linebacker and receiver, Terry Whittington, developed a love for the game at the age of 6 after watching his brother play.
“My brother was my mentor growing up and everything he did I wanted to do,” Whittington said. “He played sports so I did too. He always taught me to have fun and play ball.”
At a young age, Whittington showcased his talent on the field, and training at Pembroke Pines Optimist prepared him to play once he entered high school. Unfortunately, once he reached 9th grade, Whittington got injured and didn’t play until the last game of the season. The following year, Whittington didn’t play at all because previous CCHS Football Coach Art Taylor wouldn’t let him on the team due to the fact that he didn’t attend summer training.
Athletic setbacks weren’t the only thing that plagued Whittington early on in high school. Whittington was your typical “bad boy” and frequently got himself caught into disputes that led to fights. Academically, he was also struggling to participate in school.
“I remember back in 9th and 10th grade, I didn’t really care about school and I was always skipping class,” Whittington said. “I just wanted to be like a basic high school kid and have fun.”
However, once he entered junior year, Whittington decided something needed to change. Inspired by his mother’s hardships as a teenager with a child who received a GED rather than her high school diploma, Whittington knew he needed to alter his course. With goals to go college and make it far in life, Whittington made it his priority to mature and bring up his grades, in order to play football and serve as role model.
“Terry is an amazing kid, yet when I first got here, my opinion of him was very different,” CCHS Football Coach Brandon Walker said. “He was young and he had an attitude. But, I’ve seen him transition and mature as a young man. Over the past two years that I have been able to coach him, he went from being a kid that not every teacher wanted in their class to a guy that is respected by his teammates and by his teachers and coaches.”
“Changing something” is a bit of an understatement. Whittington worked to improve every aspect of his life. He kept up with his grades and attended school every day. He stayed out of trouble and constantly worked to improve his athletic skills.
“Terry is a heck of a football player and his physical play sets him apart from his peers,” Walker said. “As a 6 ft 3′ and 215 lb. kid, when he hits, he hits like a ton of bricks, He has great instinct and is a difference maker on the field. He chases the football hard on defense and that is why when you watch film of Cooper City Football, he stands out. He’s a playmaker.”
Whittington also managed to become a leader both on and off the field. He does everything from getting water for the team to disciplining. He makes sure everyone is at practice and he motivates his teammates as well as picks them up in times of hardship.
“Terry leads by example because when people are doing wrong things in the weight room or someone is trying to mess up,” Best Friend Connor Butler said. “In particular the freshmen, he is always the one to get on them and encourage them to do better. He pushes us all to achieve our goals and get better as players and as a team.”
Even when Whittington suffered from knee problems and a dislocated disk that caused back spasms, he didn’t let that stop his grind. He continued to motivate himself, keep going, and reach for something better for both him and his family.
“On Twitter and Instagram, Terry’s name is NoDaysOffT which describes his attitude,” Mother Dafnie Lindor-Campbell said. “He constantly believes there is no such thing as a day off and he has to keep on going and going to strive for the best.”
Whittington can be described as a “go-getter” as he continues on to fulfill his desires and ultimately be the best he can be. Academically, his grades are up to par to play college football and he is preparing to take his ACT. Athletically, he has led the Cowboys to the end of their season and has even acquired a spot in the BCAA All-Star Game to be held on December 11, 2014.
“Alcorn State which is a D1-AA School has offered Terry an athletic scholarship,” Walker said. “In addition, he has been talking to Don Brown from Boston College, Al Golden from the University of Miami, and Coach Trickett from Samford, as well as Appalachian State, West Virginia, and several other coaches of top football programs.”
Personally, Whittington has developed great character qualities and character traits that make him one of the most well-liked students at CCHS. This year, he won Homecoming King, which serves to prove the impact he has had on the student body. He has proven to be caring by giving back to his community.
“Terry has volunteered at optimist clubs such as CCO and the Davie Broncos by coaching younger kids and he is very involved at church,” Lindor-Campbell said.
As for the future, Whittington’s ultimate dream is to one day make it into the NFL, but realistically he plans on pursuing a career in either criminal justice or physical therapy.
“He can’t sit down for long,” Lindor-Campbell said.” He is not the type of person that can have an office job. He is a very hands on person which is why I think he is interested in criminal justice.”
Whatever career he pursues, Whittington can always count on his mother and the rest of his family to support his decisions 100% in academics and athletics, the very same people who motivate him to thrive every day, push for excellence, and overcome his obstacles.
“I hope Terry takes all the things he has learned in high school and continues to move forward and apply them to his life,” Walker said. “I hope he is successful in whatever venture he decides he wants to pursue. Whether that be as a football player or a regular student in college or the workforce, I wish him success in his endeavors so we can all continue to be proud of him.”
As the crowd continues to cheer for Star Football Player Terry Whittington, he basks in the limelight. After all the hard work and effort he has put in, to shine as both a student and athlete, the glory and acclaim he is receiving at that moment is well deserved. When Whittington told me the words he lives by, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful,” I wasn’t surprised. Through trials and tribulations, Whittington has managed to lead himself, his family, and his team as he becomes closer to fulfilling his success story.
