Oregon Player Shot Dead

[Blackman]

Another sad story in college football...


Associated Press
RICHMOND, Calif. -- A football star on one of the nation's top high school teams was shot to death two days before he was set to leave his crime-ridden city for the University of Oregon on an athletic scholarship, police said Friday.

Terrance Kelly, 18, was a star linebacker and tight end for Concord's De La Salle High School. He was shot in the driver's seat of his car outside his brother's home around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Richmond Police Sgt. Enos Johnson.

Police found Kelly lying in the street next to his car, shot in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson said police were investigating and had not yet identified a motive or any suspects.

Kelly was a standout at De La Salle, a school that boasts a 151-game winning streak. He was one of four de la Salle players recruited by the University of Oregon this year; the others were wide receiver Cameron Colvin and cornerbacks Willie Glasper and Jackie Bates.

Kelly had never played in a losing game during his high school career. At De La Salle, he was considered one of the best defensive players in the nation.

De La Salle school officials, students and coaches mourned the death of Kelly, who was remembered for his academic and athletic achievements. The school was set to hold a memorial service for students, family and friends Friday afternoon.

"Terrance was known by all in the De La Salle school community to be a young man who exhibited talent, intelligence and care for others besides himself," said Bruce Shoup, De La Salle's president and chief executive. "He will be remembered as an excellent student, good friend and inspiration for all the boys destined to follow him through school."

Kelly was scheduled to leave for Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. The university's athletic department did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

 

[Scott4USC]

Terrance Kelly's Application Essay

This is a must read. Very sad.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This essay, titled "Personal Circumstances," was submitted by Terrance Kelly as part of his application for admission to the University of Oregon. It was read at his memorial service and released Wednesday with the permission of his family.

"Personal Circumstances"

"Throughout my life I have been faced with several challenges, which could have potentially disrupted my education. Luckily, I have developed the necessary skills to confront and overcome these circumstances. One of the circumstances that I have had to overcome was to stay focused in an environment which has not always been conducive in obtaining a solid education.

"Many people imagine the life of a teenager as being carefree and simple, but that is not the case in the city I live in. While growing up in Richmond, California, there have been a lot of distractions. For example, the murder rate of young African Americans in the city is very high, drugs are rampant in the community, not very many of the youth in the community understand the importance of an education, much less if they live or die.

"Many youth place more importance on being in a gang than an education. A large number of the youth don't even graduate from high school. They either drop out, go to jail, or unfortunately get murdered. Something so simple as sitting down doing your homework can be a challenge. While trying to study I have often had to contend with hearing gunshots and ambulance or police cars racing up and down the streets. The library is just a shelter for the homeless and a baby-sitter for young children waiting until their parents get off work.

"Through all of this I have established high expectations and standards for myself. I am determined not to end up like so many of my peers. I have a strong sense of purpose and direction in my life. I am motivated to strive to be the best person I can be, with the understanding that a solid education can lead to self-improvement as well as social and economic empowerment."

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