Resiliency is a word that suits Brenton Spann.
After missing his senior season as a member of the New Hope High School football team, Spann could have given up and searched for a different path without the sport he loves. Instead, Spann tried his best to stay in shape and to focus on his academics in case he ever received an opportunity to return to the football field. He admits that road wasn’t easy and that there were many times he doubted if he would realize his goal.
Those thoughts officially ended Wednesday when Spann signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson.
“It really is all mind-blowing,” Spann said. “I wasn’t expecting this to come out of it. I am just thankful for my coaches for putting me in this situation to get this opportunity.”
In March 2015, Spann, Javonte Ellis, and Tyler Staples were arrested by Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department deputies and charged with statutory rape in a case involving at least two alleged victims. Staples faced two charges of statutory rape. Spann and Ellis faced one charge of statutory rape.
In April 2015, the charge against Ellis was dropped.
New Hope High football coach Kris Pickle said Spann is still involved in legal proceedings, so he couldn’t comment on the matter. He said he and the Spann family hoped the matter would be resolved later this month.
In 2014, Spann rushed for 1,736 yards and 21 touchdowns and played an integral role in helping the Trojans finish 10-3.
Pickle said Spann is the “best running back in the state of Mississippi” this season. He believes Spann has the “explosiveness” to be a big-time running back. He feels Copiah-Lincoln is getting a player who also can play defensive back, has a lot of potential, and understands the importance of his scholarship offer.
“This kid has been through a lot,” Pickle said. “For a 17-year-old kid to watch his senior year go by and not be able to play and still have the desire to come out and play without being mad at the world, it just goes to show you what kind of kid he is. A lot of kids aren’t as resilient as he is, and they would have packed up their tent and went to the house and given up on it.
“I have stayed in contact with him, as have a lot o the coaches, and he has stayed resilient and stayed positive. I really believe brighter days are ahead for him. The future is bright. He is a great kid with a great heart, and he is going to do well.”
Spann said Jackson State and several other junior colleges in the state of Mississippi were interested in him. He said he opted to go to junior college rather than a four-year school because he wanted to have an opportunity to get re-acclimated to football. He also said he will have to learn how to balance academics and athletics again, too, and the chance to go to school in Wesson and to play in a program like Co-Lin, which is one of the best in the Mississippi Association of Junior and Community Colleges, could lead to more offers from Division I schools after the 2016 season.
“I really thank Co-Lin for giving me the opportunity to have a second chance,” said Spann, who visited the campus in Wesson two to three weeks ago. “I know I have a purpose in life. That is what my mom preached to me all week, that everything was going to be OK. Giving up would have been too easy, so I had just had to stay down and grind and stay positive.”
Spann credited his family members, especially his brother, Brandon, friends, and former teammates for helping him to stay focused. He said he knew he couldn’t give up because he has the support of the community and he wants to achieve something. Spann said he will continue to improve in hopes of getting closer to the goal of realizing an opportunity with a major Division I school. He feels he will be able to get back into shape quickly now that he has a chance to earn playing time in a spread offense that like to use its running backs.
“I really want to do this for my family,” Spann said. “I just want to show the world (I can do it).”
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editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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