For Thomas Winters Jr. and Terron Armstead, it will be a dream comes true this weekend. The former Cahokia High standouts are coming home to perform in front of family members, friends, former teammates and coaches in this Saturday’s 17th Annual Gateway Classic Football Game.
Winters and Armstead play for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which takes on Clark Atlantic University in this year’s Classic at the Edward Jones Dome. Kick- off is set for 4 p.m.
Both young men were stellar student–athletes for Cahokia on some of the school’s best football teams ever. Together, they helped lead Cahokia to a few South Seven Conference titles as well as four consecutive playoff appearances. In addition, Armstead was one of the best field event athletes in track and field on some great Comanche teams that won state championships.
When you had to check the eligibility list on Friday afternoon, you didn’t have to worry about Winters nor Armstead while at C.C. High. They were always at the top of the class when it came to academics.
Both are very excited about returning home in front of family and friends. “This is a dream come true,” said Winters, a sophomore wide-receiver for the Golden Lions. “For my mother and father and my former teammates and friends to see me play at the Edward Jones Dome … I can’t wait.”
Armstead, a 6’5” 310-pound freshman offensive lineman, is just as excited. “I’m excited about the opportunity to compete at the college level at home where the Rams play. I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully I will play here again someday after getting my degree.”
At Armstead’s size, Rams’ coach Steve Spagnuolo just might ask former Washington Redskin linebacker and current Golden Lion Head Coach Monte Coleman to leave the big lineman behind for the game against his former team. (Washington visits the Rams on Sunday).
These two young men are an example of what every proud parent would want their boys to be: respectful, honest, hard-working and solid young men. I can testify for them personally as I had an opportunity to coach them both and get to know both of their parents, grandparents and family.
With what I know about these two young men, they are going to be great in whatever they choose to do after college. And Saturday at the Dome, I expect them to be great on the field as well.
Let’s do this
Devon Alexander “The Great” is tired of the talking and posturing from WBO champ Timothy Bradley in the on-again, off-again negotiations that are keeping this fight from happening in January.
But according to Boxingscene.com on Monday, Tim Bradley was quoted as saying, “I’ll whoop Devon’s (expletive).” According to the piece, Bradley stated the fight will happen and that negotiations between he and his promoter Gary Shaw are ongoing.
The plot keeps thickening for the proposed title match between St. Louis’ own Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley for the IBF, WBC, WBO Jr. Welter-weight Championship of the World Jan. 29, 2011 at a site to be determined.
“All my fan’s out there, I’m going to give you exactly what you been asking for, and that’s an (expletive) whooping for Devon Alexander.” Bradley said. “That’s what I’m going to give you.”
Now, that’s what I’m talking about, a man saying what he’s going to do. This brother says he’s coming to fight, ya’ll.
As for Team Alexander a lot of talk has been that Devon was ducking Bradley after what some perceived a lackluster performance against Andreas Kotelnik back in August. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Devon Alexander and his manager/trainer Kevin Cunningham have already signed a contract with their promoter Don King, taking less money to give the fans the fight they want to see.
“The contract that Devon signed with Don King wasn’t what he was hoping for, but Devon wants to make the fans happy,” Cunningham said in our conversation for The St. Louis American.
“Devon understands that without the fans, boxing has nothing, and at the same time it’s a business. He just wants to make St. Louis fans and boxing fans across the country know that when he takes care of business in the ring, everything else will take care of itself. Devon’s a humble and honest young man. He understands the business.”
Tim, stop talking and blaming Gary Shaw, sign the deal and let’s do this.