Delone Carter is Beacon Journal player of the year
In a class by himself
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
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Around the Copley High football program, it is simply referred to as ``The Letter.'' And minutes after it changes hands, the recipient's eyes are checked for traces of tears.
Mary Becka didn't expect the missive would be considered special. It was the product of a mother rehashing a game with her son. But as Mary and Bobby Becka discussed Parma Normandy's first-round playoff loss to Copley on Nov. 4, a ray of sportsmanship shone through that she believed should not go unnoticed.
Bobby Becka, a senior linebacker, had played the game of his life and all he could talk about was the tailback who had run over, around and through him, Copley senior Delone Carter.
It wasn't just Carter's talent that impressed Becka. Carter rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns, displaying speed, an amazing sense of balance and hard-earned strength. Those attributes resulted in Carter rushing for 2,788 yards and scoring 49 touchdowns -- earning him Ohio's Mr. Football and the Beacon Journal's 2005 Player of the Year honors as well.
``It was the way he conducted himself on the field,'' Becka said. ``Even if he was hit in the backfield, he would get up and say, `Good job.' A lot of times, especially in big games, kids have a different attitude. They say mean things and are very negative. He was very positive.''
There was no trash-talking, no cursing, just exchanges of mutual respect between 18-year-olds.
``Two people getting dirty on the field isn't going to do anything but get somebody thrown out,'' Carter said. ``So kill 'em with kindness.''
Impressed by Bobby's description of the special night, Mary Becka wrote Copley coach Dan Boarman the next day. She poured out her feelings, unable to conceal her pride in her son's play and what she believed was his brush with greatness in Carter.
``The sweetness of last night came afterwards, at home, when Bobby told me what really happened on the field, outside of the eyes and ears of the fans,'' Mary Becka wrote. ``He told me he had so much respect for your star running back. Not just because of his obvious talent, but for the graciousness and integrity this young man displayed on the field. Every time they made contact, whether Bobby made the tackle or missed it, Mr. Carter was always there to lend a helping hand up and to compliment him in some way.
``That integrity at such a young age for someone with so much God-given talent is rare and powerful. Delone Carter is a true star and I am grateful that my son had the opportunity to witness his humility and gentle strength. Nothing is stronger in life than that. I am also very proud that Bobby recognized it as such.''
Mary Becka, 47, lost her husband Robert to cancer 10 years ago. A social worker and mother to Bobby, Colleen, 14, and Paul, a 2004 graduate of Parma Heights Holy Name who played guard, she became a die-hard sports fanatic. She wrote that she knew Robert Becka ``is smiling down on Bobby with pride for not only his performance but for the man he is becoming. Fame, as we adults know, lasts seconds, lessons like the one Mr. Carter taught by example carry on forever.''
When the letter crossed Boarman's desk a couple days later, the coach figured it came from another complaining parent. He was shocked at the contents.
``I read it and I said, `Oh, my God,' '' Boarman said. ``Sometimes as a coach you don't recognize the sportsmanship or lack of sportsmanship with another team. It really struck me that he stood out so much that a mother would write me.
``But looking back, it really doesn't. That's exactly how he treats all the kids.''
Mike Kuthan, Copley's running backs coach for 25 years, wasn't surprised by Mary Becka's words.
``The letter is from someone who doesn't know Delone, but that letter in one statement exemplifies all the things about Delone that are true,'' Kuthan said. ``His character, his respect for people, his humble attitude about himself is real. With what kids today see in the NFL and on TV, that's unbelievably refreshing.''
Carter's reaction was the same as everyone else's.
``Wow,'' he said. ``I didn't think somebody on the field would be paying attention to how I was acting or how I was helping people up. I was happy I could have that impact on their life.''
Carter said he's always played that way. He believes sportsmanship is underrated and uses it as a psychological weapon.
``They want to intimidate you so much,'' he said of opponents. ``If you can just be nice to them, that will take them out of their game.''
Copies of the letter have circulated in the past month. The original is with Carter's parents, April Carter-White and stepdad Robert White, who even showed it to recruiter Steve Russ, a Syracuse assistant.
``Coach Russ cried,'' Robert White said. ``One of the (player's) parents was just bawling. Everybody who reads it, they cry. It's really that type of letter.
``For her to take the time to write, people just don't do things like that anymore. We sent a thank-you card, my wife wants to take them to lunch. We're going to take her and her son, if they'll accept, to a football game next year.''
That most likely will be at Syracuse University, which received an oral commitment from Carter in August and hosted his official visit this weekend.
Lunch with Carter's mother would be ``so special,'' Mary Becka said. She is even considering making a trip to Syracuse on her own next season. Paul Becka faced Hoban star Tyrell Sutton in 2004 and she still follows last year's Mr. Football at Northwestern University.
``Maybe I have a good eye,'' she said.
Bobby Becka isn't sure he'll attend college next year or whether he could accompany his mother to Syracuse. But he still cherishes the evening that he and Carter crossed paths.
``It was a great experience playing against someone with that kind of talent, even though we lost,'' he said. ``Next year I can watch him on TV running for touchdowns.''
``The Letter'' might be a catalyst for friendship between the Beckas, the Whites and Carter. But even if that doesn't happen, Mary Becka is pleased it had such an impact. While her son tackled Carter, her words might tug at their emotions for years.
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