THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170514
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 73 lines
Odell Joyner's thoughts went far beyond what he was seeing on the television screen.
As he watched an NFL game from his cell at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center jail, he couldn't help but think about what might have been. Some of the pros in the game were guys he had played against in high school - players who had no more talent than he did.
With a different twist here or there, he could be right beside them making the big bucks and living the high life.
But high life is exactly what had landed Joyner in the slammer - smashing his dream of becoming a professional football player.
As a high school Parade All-American at First Colonial, Joyner had the size and the talent college scouts drool over. But partying and running around with the wrong crowd got him into trouble.
Upon graduating from First Colonial in 1990, he was just another star who couldn't meet the academic requirements for a college scholarship.
He went to Hampton University with the hopes of becoming eligible to play football, but dropped out after a couple of semesters and fell deeper into trouble.
``I lacked the motivation without athletics to keep me focused,'' said Joyner, a 26-year-old outside linebacker who will play his first game with the Hampton Roads Sharks minor league football team tonight at Kempsville. ``I did nine months for stupid stuff - trespassing, assault, a couple of other things that put together made things worse.''
While in jail, Joyner came to the conclusion that he needed to make the right turn at this particular crossroads or he'd be spending a lot more time behind bars.
``I've been to the bottom,'' he said.
With constant prayer and the presence of an always-supportive mother, Joyner is trying to turn his life around with the Sharks. Then, he hopes to get a chance to play professional football.
``I don't care where,'' he said. ``The CFL, Arena Football, it doesn't matter. Just somewhere where I can show people what I can do.
``I had to give myself the opportunity, because I wouldn't be able to look in the mirror in the future if I didn't.''
Joyner is working as a carpenter for Sturdy Construction of Chesapeake and is going to his uncle's church - Holy Rock Church of God and Christ. Mother JoAnn Joyner and girlfriend Rianda Copeland offer constant support and guidance.
But Joyner has to do the work.
At 6-foot-3 and 287 pounds, he's carrying about 15 pounds too much. Even at that size, Joyner is still a step or two quicker than the 4.93 seconds he clocked in the 40-yard dash at the Sharks' tryouts.
And he still packs the kind of wallop that made him one of the most notorious tacklers area high school football fans have ever seen.
``Oh man, it's something to watch him work down that line after the guy with the ball,'' Sharks owner and head coach Dr. T.J. Morgan said. ``I wouldn't want to be the guy with the ball coming through the hole and run into him.
``When he comes through the hole, nothing else does.''
Joyner has fire in his belly. His face lights up when asked about his love of football.
``I still get the butterflies and the adrenalin is still there,'' he said. ``The smell of the grass and the equipment. . . all that stuff football players feel, it's all still there.
``I'll be honest with you, I really think I can still make it. I know I've got a lot of work to do and it won't be easy. But if someone will give me a chance to prove myself, they won't be disappointed.
``This (the Sharks) is the first step.''
And a step in the right direction. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
``I've been to the bottom,'' said Odell Joyner of his time in jail.
Playing with the Sharks is the first step in reviving his career. by CNB