Story
Glades Central's Crevon Leblanc dedicates football season to his father
Thursday, November 11, 2010
by
Jeff Greer
Thousands will be cheering loudly at a jammed Anquan Boldin Stadium Friday night at the annual Muck Bowl, but Glades Central defensive back Crevon Leblanc will still hear his dad's voice.
Leblanc's father passed away in March, the victim of a severe heart attack suffered while Leblanc and his mother were in a car with him, but the 16-year-old junior still feels his presence.
Especially when he plays football: His dad never missed a game.
"He'd shout, 'I want a big hit this play, I want a big play,' " Leblanc said.
That's why Leblanc dedicated the football season to his father and will honor him during Friday's game against Pahokee.
"I'm going to try to get like 10 tackles and two picks," Leblanc said. "Everything I do, I do it for him."
Leblanc's life took a drastic turn one fateful day in March, as he and his parents drove to Orlando to celebrate his mother's birthday.
Crevon was sitting in the backseat as his mother, Lawanda, drove and his father, Craig Sr., sat in the passenger's seat. Crevon was watching a movie on a portable DVD player when he noticed his dad sweating and complaining that it was hot.
"It wasn't normal sweat," Leblanc remembered.
Craig Sr. took some pain pills for his heart, but moments later, he slumped over. Crevon and his mother thought Craig Sr. was joking around.
He wasn't.
They pulled the car over and, as his mother ran out on the road trying to get help, Crevon called 9-1-1. Craig Sr. was taken to an area hospital.
Crevon and his mother were in the waiting room when they were told the news.
"They just said he didn't make it," Leblanc said. Craig Leblanc was 44.
Glades Central coach Jessie Hester said Leblanc's demeanor visibly changed.
Leblanc, who suddenly became the man of his house, realized he had new responsibilities. His older brother, Craig Jr., is in prison, and his half-brother, Corderra Bostic, lives with his own mother.
He's all his mom has at home.
"At that point, everything shifted in his head," Hester said. "He changed from a happy-go-lucky kid to a more serious guy, more responsible in his day-to-day actions."
A little more than a month after his dad's death, Crevon turned to football as his emotional outlet.
Leblanc had a skyscraping interception in his team's 32-18 spring-game victory against Fort Pierce Westwood. A photo in The Palm Beach Post showed Leblanc, who is 5-foot-9, jumping above three other players as they fought for the ball.
"I was thinking that my daddy is my guardian angel and he's lifting me up," Leblanc said. "When I see the ball, I've got to have it."
This fall, Leblanc has made 20 tackles, including one for loss, and two interceptions in nine games, even playing through a hairline fracture in his wrist for part of the season.
But the stats don't concern Lawanda as much as football's therapeutic value to her son.
In a program like Glades Central, where other players and coaches have dealt with personal tragedy, Leblanc has an empathetic audience.
"I don't have to worry about anything," Lawanda said. "The staff is right there for him. The players are very concerned about him.
"It almost like they're a family."
When you see Leblanc line up before a play at the Muck Bowl Friday, he'll pick up some grass and swipe it across his chest. That's a tribute to his dad.
He'll listen closely, amid the raucous Muck Bowl crowd, for one voice.
"There are a lot of people out there," Leblanc said, "but I can still hear his voice the most.
"He guides me."
User Comments:
Raiders4Life commented on November 11, 2010 at 5:03 p.m.: report abuse
Crevon, your father will always be very proud of you and so will your immediate family and extended family. Continue to make us proud and most of all your dad and yourself. Go Raiders! Look out Blue Devils...we are coming for our trophy. Please have it polished and ready to hand over.
CLASS 2012 commented on November 11, 2010 at 6:03 p.m.: report abuse
OMG CLASSMATE WE LUV YU.! DANG THAT'S THAT HURT. BUT YOU HAVE CHANGE FOR THE BEST.!
RAIDERFAN4LYFE commented on November 11, 2010 at 7:06 p.m.: report abuse
Crevon, The God of All Comfort is with you Always! You and your family are in my prayers. The greatest thing that you can do to honor your father,is to leave the legacy of being GREAT man, whose children will one day love you as you love your father. From all that I see in you, you are well on your way!!! Have a Great game on Friday!
LaWanda LeBlanc commented on November 11, 2010 at 9:06 p.m.: report abuse
Crevon you have endure a lot this year. I'm very proud of you son just know that your Dad is with you in spirit and he is your guardian angel. Remember to stay focus keep your head because what God has for you is for you..... Good luck in the game on Friday!!!
71Raider commented on November 12, 2010 at 7:14 a.m.: report abuse
Crevon, I am so proud of you. You have taken on the spirit of your mother, you are a true fighter. Your father lives on in your heart. He is with you always in spirit. Now, let's go out there and get atleast two interceptions. Go Raiders!!!
daniel thermidor commented on November 12, 2010 at 7:43 a.m.: report abuse
keep yuh head up bra.......
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Sonia B. commented on November 12, 2010 at 2:39 p.m.: report abuse
Crevon, you are destined for greatness! You keep going and you will see... Stay Humble and Focused We love you!
AUNTIE LINDA LEBLANC commented on November 13, 2010 at 10:28 a.m.: report abuse
CREVON, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. KEEP ON DOING YOUR BEST IN LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. WHILE I MAY NOT BE IN THE STANDS AS OFTEN AS I WOULD LIKE, NEVER E V E R FORGET THAT MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU. YOUR DADDY,MY BROTHER, WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN THAT I TOO MISS EACH AND EVERYDAY. MAY GOD BLESS OUR FAMILY AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH WE NEED TO ENDURE ALL THINGS. AMEN
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