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All-American athlete: Cathedral High School’s Emil Ekiyor to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

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Cathedral High School senior Emil Ekiyor will be making his way to Texas in January to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Last Thursday, surround by friends, family and teammates in his school auditorium, he received his official U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey.

The Bowl, which will be broadcast live on NBC on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m., features the nation’s top high school athletes facing off in an East vs. West matchup. Past participants include some of the NFL’s biggest names, such as Andrew Luck and Tim Tebow.

“The students who are receiving this award have the background as far as athletics, and they are not only great on the field but also off the field with classes and academics,” said Staff Sgt. China Lee with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “We are looking for all-around students to receive this award, and it’s very special because only 100 in the nation get to receive it.”

Emil Ekiyor

Ekiyor feels athletics is in his blood. His father, who is currently president of the Indianapolis Chapter of Indiana Black Expo Inc., has been a fan of football all of his life, playing for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2000. His mother, who feels she is the more competitive parent, played college basketball. Ekiyor has fond memories of watching his dad coach football and dreaming about joining the team before he was even old enough to play.

“I was like, 4. When I would miss a practice, I would be so sad about it. They knew I loved the game, so they got me involved when I was 6, and from then on I never stopped playing,” said Ekiyor.

Despite his passion for the game, his father made a point not to push his son too hard to go further with the sport. He says the reason he initially handed his son a football was because he wanted his son to learn to be a team player.

“I never pushed it as far as, ‘Play football, get a scholarship, go to the NFL.’ I did want him to play, because I knew there were some life lessons that you learn from playing football, as far as commitment, teamwork and overcoming adversity,” said his father, also named Emil Ekiyor. “He ended up loving football, and things took a different road for him.”

But things were not easy for the younger Ekiyor, who says overcoming adversity has been the biggest part of his story. In the seventh grade, he badly injured his knee, which put a roadblock between him and his dreams. The following year, he had to take a break from playing his favorite sport.

“It took me seven months to recover. I couldn’t play eighth-grade year, and I had to overcome that. It was hard work to get better, but I was dedicated to playing,” he said.

When he joined his high school team, he started off as a quiet kid, but over time he gained confidence in his abilities.

“He has been a leader since day one, but a quiet leader until this year,” said coach Rick Streiff. “Now, he’s more vocal. He understands what we expect from our players, and he is pulling others up with him. He takes them with him by having them do the right things. To me, the sign of real, true leaders is one who takes others up with them.”

Like most successful people, Ekiyor had supportive individuals encouraging him along the way. His biggest cheerleaders have always been his parents and grandparents. “That’s my little circle of people I trust the most, who have been there for me every step of my life,” said Ekiyor.

The football star has committed to attending and playing for the University of Michigan. While he hopes to help his college team achieve as many victories as possible, he says academics are his main priority.

“Football is going to take a backseat to my academics. That’s why I’m going, to get an education. The things that come with that are just a bonus. I am thinking (of majoring in) business, because it’s doing my own thing, having new ideas and being innovative. I want to see where that can take me in life,” said Ekiyor.

His mom, Andrea Ekiyor, views the opportunity to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a blessing.

“I do know that this is a blessing from God, and I want him to utilize his athletic ability to show his testimony and the power of God, and how He works through him through athletics,” she said. “What my husband has done is make sure that he stays humble. Your work ethic is what should speak for you; you shouldn’t have to say anything, just do what you say you are going to do.”

Emil Ekiyor, who will play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, says his parents and grandparents have always been his biggest cheerleaders. Pictured with Ekiyor are his father, Emil Ekiyor, and his mother, Andrea Ekiyor. (Photo/Keshia McEntire)

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