Monessen’s Taylor revives faith in young people

By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports

All too often, in today’s society, we tend to look at our youth with a jaundiced eye.

And the reasons are many because a lot of kids today have just grown up in a different environment, often with no direction. Many don’t have respect for adults, the law and even themselves.

When we were kids, we settled disputes by talking and if that didn’t work, we resorted to using our fists.

Today, more kids use violence — even gun violence — to get even.

And don’t even get me started on social media and how kids use that at times in very inhuman ways.

And if they are athletes, well, the impression goes down a few notches more.

You know … spoiled entitled brats. Take. Take Take. And think only about themselves and their own accomplishments over those of the team.

Me. Me. Me. I don’t paint a pretty picture, do I?

It’s also pretty accurate, right? Allow me to introduce you to a kid who has renewed my faith and hope for our future generation.

Meet Torrance Taylor, or TJ, as he goes by.

He is a senior at Monessen High School and, yep, he’s an athlete.

I’ve never talked to him personally, but I followed him during his career for the Greyhounds and on Facebook. I’ve also taken notes on how his coaches talked about him from youth league to now, how he handles himself on the field and recently how he carries himself off it.

Torrance Taylor is a breath of fresh air. He has plans for his life and he gets it.

On Oct. 20, as he was preparing to play possibly his last football game for Monessen, he posted a lengthy, heartfelt message on social media conveying his thoughts.

He spoke about how fast his four years as a Greyhound went by. First and foremost he gave thanks to God. He thanked his coaches for what they did for him as a player and person.

He thanked the community support he received and talked extensively about the pride he felt in being a Greyhound (as well as a signed recruit to continue his career in college). He said how much love he felt for the small community he grew up in.

He talked about using criticism he heard that he could never make anything of himself at Monessen and never achieve his dreams of going to college as motivation.

Taylor promised that if Friday night’s home game against Cornell would be his last in a Monessen uniform he would give it all he’s got.

All he did was go out and score two touchdowns in the second half and lead his team to a 30-28 win and a berth in the WPIAL playoffs.

But let’s be honest, most good athletes have good games. But not all good athletes are good people.

TJ Taylor is good people. He was chosen to speak to Monessen’s youth football teams who were slated to play in their respective Super Bowl games over the weekend. He told the youngsters about growing up with adversity in Monessen.

He said people will always tell them they can’t do good things, but he was there to tell them they can achieve their dreams.

This was no parent, no coach talking to those kids. It was a kid who himself wore that midget uniform just a few years earlier.

I think Torrance Taylor is a kid we could all — should all — root for.

In my lifetime, I’ve followed some great teams and players from Monessen going back to the 1960s. A lot went on to college, some to the NFL. Many of them became successful in business.

I told Taylor he could have worn that uniform that means so much to him in any era.

And I meant it. I will be eager to follow his path from here on out.

I have a feeling this kid will be different. He can change attitudes.

He’s a winner in sports and I would expect him to be a winner in life.

We need more kids like Torrance Taylor these days and I thank him for giving me hope for the future.

Anyone with any thoughts, opposing views or comments on this column can reach Jeff Oliver by emailing justjto@verizon.net.