If Daniel Neal could ask God one question, it would be this: Why would He give him the abilities He did?
Now the Northside High student-athlete might be seeking a deeper, more spiritual answer – i.e. what-is-my-purpose-in-life – but if he were just to ask anyone from Eagle nation, the answer would be simple: So you can run. And run. And run.
Neal did just that this past Thursday night in McConnell-Talbert Stadium. Against Warner Robins, the junior running back only got five carries. Against Henry County, that number went up to 17. As a result, he scored three times – twice from the 3 and once from the 5 – added 148 yards to his season total and Northside rolled 44-6.
For his contributions, Neal earns honors as the Academy Sports+Outdoors Athlete of the Week (football).
Neal is the son of Crystal McCrary and Devin Randle. He has been playing football for 10 years – two on Eagles varsity. He’s also played baseball for five years and run track four – two on varsity.
As far as football, reflecting back – all the way to recreation ball as a matter of fact – on of his most embarrassing moments, he said, was running for what he thought would be a 60-yard touchdown. That is until he was caught and brought down at the 2 by Kearis Jackson. (Of course most folks would say that was quite an accomplishment – staving off the four-start UGA commit that long.)
These days, Neal said he is most nervous about a game from the moment he steps onto the field until, “I feel that first hit.” That – “running into people (helmet-to-helmet/body-to-body)” – is, by the way, second on the list of the most satisfying things about the game to him. First of course is running. Most challenging, however, is “pass protection against a linebacker or an end.”
Neal said one of the best teams he’s been on was 2016’s. “Because,” he said, “everybody was mature and played as a team.”
Of course 2017’s is still to play out but “hero-wise” Neal said that honor – “someone I look up to” – would go to his uncle, Tony Wright. “He may have been one of the best running backs to come through Middle Georgia,” he said.
Fan-wise, and who specifically is his biggest, would go to “mom”. Well, let’s just say she’s been a loud and proud staple for the son who is also a fan of the “First Take” TV show. “She’s been screaming for 10 years for me at the top of her lungs,” he said.
Why would God give him the abilities He did?
Well, God may never answer that. Then again, if this past week’s game was any indication, that answer may become all-too-clear as the season goes on (i.e. state championship – for starters – perhaps).
