The News-Press has learned that former Southwest Florida football star Noel Devine has returned to North Fort Myers.
Devine, 17, who emerged as a top college football prospect in the
nation as a sophomore at North Fort Myers High School in 2004, was living in Prosper, Texas, with NFL star Deion Sanders and his family. Sanders is a North Fort Myers graduate.
Sanders, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens, was in the process of taking over legal guardianship of Devine. Devine's grandmother, Lee Bertha Thomas, is currently the legal guardian.
Sanders told The News-Press that Devine drove himself to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Monday and boarded a plane headed to Fort Myers, leaving the keys to Sanders’ SUV in the vehicle.
“We were really in a state of shock,� Sanders said. “We couldn’t believe it. I wish we saw a sign but there was nothing. He was wonderful. Now I understand what his grandma was going through for years. Some people don’t want to be helped.
Sanders called Thomas Monday night and informed her that Devine had flown back.
Thomas went to the North Fort Myers home of Robert and Liz Harlow and found Devine there.
Thomas also said she had a chance encounter with Devine at North Fort Myers High this morning. She said he was headed to the School Choice office with Liz Harlow. Devine had been temporarily living with the Harlow family of North Fort Myers before leaving for Texas.
According to the Lee County School District's public information office, Devine is currently listed on the enrollment books as a student at North Fort Myers High School.
North Fort Myers football coach James Iandoli said no one has told him Devine is officially back at the school. If Devine does indeed return to North, however, Iandoli said he would welcome him back to the football team.
“There’s no ill will,� Iandoli said. “Everybody I’m sure would be looking forward to his return.�
“He’s got seven months before he’s 18,� said Thomas, adding that she won’t stand in Devine’s way. “I’m tired of being humiliated. I’m not going to keep going through it with him.�
Devine spent one day in Texas before leaving with Sanders for the Ravens’ training camp in Maryland on July 31. Sanders said his Baltimore teammates took to Devine right away. Devine helped out at practice, spotting the ball, and received individual attention after workouts from Sanders and Baltimore coaches. Devine also met with former University of Miami tailback Clinton Portis during the Ravens’ scrimmage against Washington.
