In our sports and celebrity-obsessed culture, the words “superstar athlete” are synonymous with fame and fortune. What sports-addled kid doesn’t want to be like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James?! So when a rare opportunity knocks and the sports world beckons to a young high school quarterback, he should just seize the moment, which may not come again, and walk through that door without thinking twice or looking back. Right? RIGHT?
Nope. At least, not if you are Pine View High School 9th grader and star quarterback-in-embryo Kody Wilstead. At 6’5” and in possession of a rocket throwing arm, he has already attracted interest from PAC-12 coaches and a host of other programs. Even more attention was heaped upon him when he accepted an invitation to attend the National Underclassmen Elite 15 Combine, to be held later this month in Norman, Oklahoma, home of the OU “Sooners”.
As one might expect, the last day of the Combine is probably the most important. It’s the last chance these bright-eyed, aspiring quarterback prospects will have at this event to leave a lasting impression on college coaches and perhaps get a leg up on the competition. Scholarships are at stake. Perhaps NFL stardom and millions down the road, too. Needless to say, it’s a day to be sharp and bring your A-game. Arrange to leave camp the day before the final show? Crazy talk. Utterly unthinkable.
What could possibly be so vital as to cause this young rising star to miss the last day and a half of the National Underclassmen Elite 15 Camp? Well, football may just not be the most important priority in this young man’s life. Sure, he wants to go on and play major college or even professional football but there are other more essential lessons to be exposed to and learn. The Football Combine overlaps with a youth retreat planned by his local church and so he chose rather to be on a plane returning home not to miss his prior commitment. Instead of learning a playbook, defensive sets or assorted quarterbacking skills, he will learn life skills, including the finer points of such unglamorous, antiquated concepts as service to God, service to community, love of family, integrity, morality and honesty, among others. Can you think of any “superstar athletes” that could’ve used some of those lessons?
Hats off to Kody Wilstead! When your time comes I want to be the agent that represents you because you will be the whole package.

John Miner

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