11-09-2017, 08:41 PM
(11-09-2017, 08:29 PM)redwood Wrote: Years ago, a kid names Steve Larkin seemed like an elite athlete entering high school. Turns out he had irregular Heartbeat and the School could not let him play ANY sports due to high liability...and the kid was a potential standout in ANY Sport.
His oldest brother, Mike was a starting LB for Notre Dame as a Soph, was doing great as a Junior.until a knee injury. Byron was
So talented ALL the Major Universites in the area ( Notre Dame,Ohio St,Michigan, Penn St offered scholarships in WHATEVER Sport he chose to play. While He'd been a first team all America DB, He chose Basketball (his brother's knee injury ruled out a football future).Byron is still Xavier U's Career scoring leader (David West is #2) Steve had yet another Brother... also a star at any sport...Barry Larkin. Barry played baseball at U Michigan. Coach Schemblecher regularly asked him to play football (Barry had been All State on a State Champ team). Barry is now in Baseball's Hall Of Fame.
So......Steve has these special genes... Can't play HS Sports. U Texas gives him a baseball scholarship anyhow. He does not have a Heart Attack. He IS later drafted by MLB. Steve hit real well in the minors till AAA.
So......espite worrisome "Heart Issues" this is a guy who played NO HS Sports yet got a scholarship to a TOP school for college ball.
I'll say it IS a concern but....it remains to be seen if it improves.
It is uncommon for division 1 coaches to go and recruit at high school sports events other than football or the elite players in basketball. Heck sports like soccer are in session at the same time high school is playing. Baseball same thing as colleges play in the spring in Ohio or same time as high schools.
I am so ready for 2024 season. I love pro football and hoping for a great Bengals year. Regardless, always remember it is a game and entertainment.