TERRE HAUTE —
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
Weatherford, punter for the New York Giants, told a proud, enthusiastic crowd of more than 2,500 during an assembly at the Terre Haute North Vigo High School gym, “I love you guys.”
It was clear the audience shared the feeling. “We love you, Steve,” North Vigo football players shouted from the stands.
Weatherford, a 2001 North Vigo graduate, promised to return with his Super Bowl ring.Those in the audience included representatives from every Vigo County school, North Vigo students and staff, members of the community and several dignitaries. A group of 80 students from Deming Elementary sat on the floor near the podium.
Audience members held signs that said, “Terre Haute is proud of you” and “Go Steve. You are awesome.”
Superintendent Dan Tanoos, a friend and mentor to Weatherford, introduced him as a hometown hero “and Super Bowl, in my opinion, MVP.”
When Weatherford walked into the gym, he received a standing ovation as the crowd wildly cheered for the Super Bowl Superstar. The North Vigo fight song played in the background.
“This is unbelievable,” Weatherford said as he took the podium. “The last two weeks of my life have been a whirlwind. It’s been like a tornado in my life, but a good one.”
Whatever he’s accomplished, he said, he’s done as a representative of the community and his high school.
“To be able come back here and share all my successes and kind of the culmination of my entire life — of the hard work I’ve put in, of the blessings God has given me and the opportunities I’ve been given — is just unbelievable,” he said.
In the past two weeks, many have thanked him for what he’s done for Terre Haute, he said. “But I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve been given from you guys. I just want to tell you thank you. It’s such a blessing to come back here with you guys, and now I’m a world champion and I can’t believe it.”
Success hasn’t come easy, he said, and he’s faced adversity and failures along the way. He’s been in the NFL for six years and he’s been cut from three teams.
“I’ve been told several times that I’ll never make it. I’ve been told several times that I’m just not good enough,” he said.
A person can react to adversity in two ways — positively or negatively. He’s learned from his parents and mentors to respond to adversity with a positive attitude. He told those in the audience, and in particular those in high school, to do the same.
“To me, being cool is being positive and making a difference in somebody else’s life,” Weatherford said.
After he spoke, community dignitaries paid tribute. Mayor Duke Bennett presented Weatherford with a plaque and told the crowd, “I think his punting had a huge impact on that win” in which the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
State Rep. Clyde Kersey presented a resolution passed by the Indiana House in honor of Weatherford. State Sen. Tim Skinner presented a letter from Gov. Mitch Daniels that stated, in part, “You stand as a shining example to all Hoosiers through your hard work and success.”
Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing declared Weatherford an “honorary” Vigo County sheriff.
In closing, Weatherford told the audience, “There’s not a lot of things in life that you can control, but your effort is one of them. Right now, every single day I wake up, I want to be the best I can be. I don’t want to be beat at anything,” he said. “I hate losing. I think that’s what fuels me every day.”
After the assembly, Weatherford’s many admirers surrounded him, each hoping for an autograph or picture.
One Deming Elementary fourth-grader described Friday as “the best day of his life,” said Principal Susan Mardis.
Riley Elementary student Colton Senteney, who plays football and got Weatherford’s autograph, said he’s inspired by the Super Bowl champ.
North dean and football coach Chris Barrett also stood outside. Commenting on Weatherford’s accomplishments and return to Terre Haute, he said, “It’s fantastic. It provides inspiration to our kids who don’t think things are possible coming from Terre Haute,” he said.
“He [Weatherford] was on one of the biggest television stages in the world. There he was making great plays and representing himself and his team and our school and our community very well. In all of his interviews, he’s brought up Terre Haute. It’s great for our community.”
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
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Full house: Elementary school pupils filled the North gym floor, which was stretched to full capacity Friday afternoon for the assembly honoring Weatherford.
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You're number one: Members of the Terre Haute North football squad welcome Steve Weatherford as he enters the gym Friday afternoon.
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Champion: Weatherford signs autographs after Friday’s assembly at Terre Haute North Vigo High School where he received a North jacket with ”Super Bowl Champion” on the back.
Discussion
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
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