NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 13 – JUL 19, 2017 | VOL. 14 NO. 28
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Sun rises for Nevin NFL star tells how football changed his life by Howard Campbell
As a student at Piper High School in Sunrise, Nevin Lawson was a star running back with several college teams nipping at his heels to get him on their team. A misspent youth nearly messed that up. Lawson, now a cornerback for the Detroit Lions in the NFL, told National Weekly that he lost as many as 10 scholarships due to indiscipline. “I definitely went through a dark period, but you know I have to thank my parents and my lawyer Mr. (Denzle) Latty for guiding me to where I'm at today,” he said. He did not go into detail about his period of delinquency, but also credits football with changing his life. The second of three sons, 26-year-old Lawson was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica. He migrated to South Florida at six years-old and played soccer and cricket early on. Football took over at Piper High School where he was mentored by coach Matthew Lewis. Eventually, Lawson played for Utah State University where he had an impressive three-year run. He was a fourth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2014 His discipline has earned strong reviews from Lions head coach Jim Caldwell. In a 2015 interview with the Lions' website, he said, “He's a hungry individual. He's one of those guys, let me just tell you something, absolutely love him because he'll fight you at the “I want to play as long drop of a hat.” Lawson's parents are from rural as possible. And I'll like Jamaica. His father, Clive, was born in Westmoreland, a parish known for its to reach out to young sugar-cane industry; his mother, Jennifer, was born and raised in the people here…I'm a tourist mecca, Montego Bay. family man now, so Lawson grew up in Lauderhill, which has a large Jamaican community. it's important to be Staying close to roots was important in
“My Dad, he listened to Gregory Isaacs a lot and Bob Marley, of course. My Mom, she makes the best oxtail in the world!”
Nevin Lawson (right) and his attorney, Denzle Latty. – Uriah Bennet photo
the Lawson household. “My Dad, he listened to Gregory Isaacs a lot and Bob Marley, of course. My Mom, she makes the best oxtail in the world!” The stocky Lawson, his wife Mari Angel and infant daughter are visiting South Florida. He travels to the old neighborhood frequently to catch up with family and friends. Nevin Lawson is wary about life as a professional athlete. The average career of an NFL player is two-and-a-half years, he noted. But he is determined to make an impact in the league and his hometown. “I want to play as long as possible. And I'll like to reach out to young people here…I'm a family man now, so it's important to be responsible,” he said. Lawson (right) playing for the Detroit Lions against the New York Giants
responsible,”
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CONFRONTING CULTURE SHOCK IN AMERICA B1
ISHAWNA IN HOT WATER B3
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POKERSTARS BET ON BOLT C1