Antoine Jackson WG’s Athlete of the Week

Antoine Jackson

Antoine Jackson WG’s Athlete of the Week

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

 

Antoine, DJ, and Eric pose with teammates and  Uncle Dwayne, who coached their rec championship team.

The Wimbley-Jackson family just keeps on giving. Our student athlete honoree Antione Jackson, a 6’1” 175 lb. defensive back from Dillard High School, is the first cousin of last week’s honoree DJ Wimbley. A superb athlete who combines speed, quickness, agility and strength, Antione has garnered attention from several major D-I universities including UM, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Colorado, et.al.

After choosing to sign early with the Miami Hurricanes, he regrettably  decided to ask for a release from his National Letter of Intent and is currently unsure where he will play college football. Obviously, his entire family including his mother Ms.  Antoinette Wimbley.

Father  Walter Jackson III, and uncle  Dwayne Wimbley want what’s best for him and are hopeful that higher education is still a priority. The measurables, talent, intelligence and work ethic are certainly there – he ran track for Dillard to help the team and improve his sprinter’s speed. He also is an excellent basketball player, symbolic of his innate athleticism. Uncle Dwayne states proudly of his ability: “ He would have been great at any sport he chose based on natural abilities and athleticism.”

He started on the Dillard varsity football team as a freshman, and he was named first team All-County as a sophomore and junior.

He even reclassed, forgoing his senior year to enroll in college a year early. Presently, he is still only 16 years.

Having chronicled his family’s athletic and academic accomplishments in last week’s article , we failed to mention his uncle Joshua Wimbley, a track star at the University of South Florida who was extremely influential in his sister Shakima’s career with the Miami Hurricanes. A cousin, Eric Morris, Jr., who will complete his high school career as a Stranahan Dragon, received his first scholarship offer from Bowling Green University in Kentucky. And he has an older brother Walter Jackson IV, a Dillard Panther, who is weighing his football scholarship opportunities. The Jackson/Wimbley family truly established a roadmap for others to emulate, a family that keeps on giving. Uncle Dwayne said that the children were so competitive growing up that he and family members  would often have to break up fights when things got too heated amongst the group. Whether it was football, basketball or playing video games, they pushed each other and made each other better. They were even competitive in the classroom. Eric, Jr. usually won the battles for best grades.

To gain a greater insight into Antione’s psyche as an athlete, we posed several relevant questions regarding his athletic accomplishments and career.

 WG: What do you find appealing about being a part of a team sport?

Antoine: Brotherhood. The game can help you get close with teammates and develop a bond for life.

WG: How do you personally view competition?

Antoine: It’s a good thing. It brings out the best in me and allows me to be the best version of myself.

WG: What’s your concept of leadership? Antione: Never giving up, showing heart,  not quitting when things go wrong, and  being consistent.

WG: How does being an athlete or competing make you a better person/human being if you agree with statement?

Antoine: It teaches you to how face adversity and overcome it.

WG: How do you focus, prepare, or get motivated before competing?

Antione:  I listen to music, watch film, focusing on my craft.

WG: Who inspired you as a young athlete? Antione: My uncle, Dwayne Wimbley,

and my cousin Shakima Wimbley.

WG:  What one word best describes you as a student-athlete?

Antione: Confident.

WG: Who is/was your favorite coach and why?

Antione: Coach Strong from Dillard. He convinced me to switch from wide receiver to cornerback.

WG: Do you make personal sacrifices or give up something to play sports?

Antione: I Work out instead of hanging out. I sacrifice my free time for my future.

Based on these responses, Antione is an intelligent, insightful young man with a bright future and he understands the important balance of academic and athletics, knows that a positive attitude is essential to success generally, possessing that next play mentality when things go awry, celebrates momentary success, then moves on – a powerful attribute- and finally employs visualization to exact a positive outcome on the field of play and in life.

He views Blanche Ely and St. Thomas Aquinas as natural rivals, would be inspired by the presence of Super Bowl champion Jalen Ramsey at his games and loves Rod Wave music.

Point of personal privilege/note to Antione:

Young man you possess all of the qualities necessary for success in life- intelligence, athleticism, competitive drive, family support, positive role models and self-confidence. As a former educator and coach, I’ve seen far too many talented athletes permit life-altering opportunities to slip right through their fingers. Whatever you decide about college or other life choices, don’t look back with remorse and regret. You most assuredly have what it takes to determine your own future. Our publisher Mr. Bobby R. Henry and the Westside Gazette staff wish you great success in your future endeavors and always allow God to direct your path.

About Carma Henry 24481 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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