Maddox Fills Stadium One Last Time

BY BRYAN STRICKLAND
SALISBURY POST

KANNAPOLIS - It was an after-school special of epic proportions.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the day at A.L. Brown High School Wednesday, students filtered into Kannapolis Memorial Stadium to hear from one of their own, Nick Maddox.

When the students arrived, they found television crews, photographers, reporters and just plain ol' football fans already on the scene. Even the mayor of Kannapolis took a seat in the stands.

Suddenly, the previously dormant stadium felt ready for kickoff.

For four years, these same people had gathered on football Fridays to watch Maddox do his thing. But on this day, they came to see Maddox talk a good game.

And after so often giving his fans an eyeful, Maddox gave them an earful with just two words.

Florida State.

''I always wanted to be a Seminole when I was little,'' Maddox said. ''It just seemed like the right place for me.''

And with that, Maddox ended months of heated speculation regarding the future address of the nation's most-sought running back.

The Seminoles may have leased the rights to Maddox for the next four years, but it was obvious again Wednesday that his hometown still holds the deed. Fans flooded toward Maddox after the ceremony, dishing out handshakes and hugs in exchange for their hero's autograph.

Mike Grier, the school resource officer, was among many armed with a camera to document the historic day. Grier competed with professional photographers and TV crews for the best angle.

While they took keepsake snapshots, Maddox took the time to fill every autograph request. He signed everything in sight, from a Piedmont Boll Weevils baseball cap to a Charlotte Observer sports section to the smallest scrap of paper.

But the autograph everyone wanted to talk about was the one Maddox decided to share with the superpower Seminoles. Already loaded after losing in the national title game to Tennessee, Florida State now has one of the most electrifying players to ever grace the high school gridiron.

The two-time North Carolina player of the year rushed for more than 2,500 yards and scored 45 touchdowns - and that was just his senior season. For his career, Maddox scored a national record 114 touchdowns.

As late as Tuesday, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia were still in the running for Maddox's running.

''I had an uncle who always told me that when I grew up I was going to be a Seminole,'' Maddox said. ''After that's drilled into your head a couple of years, it's going to stick.''

The stadium stood silent 45 minutes before the 3:45 p.m. press conference, save for the 18 green chairs, podium and table set up on the edge of the track. Members of the media arrived first, including a reporter from the Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald, who made the 4 1/2-hour drive just in case Maddox decided to play as a Georgia Bulldog.

Newspapers sent reporters from Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte. The Kannapolis Independent Tribune sent must of its staff. The Post, a trio of local TV stations and WSTP radio also recorded the latest chapter of Kannapolis sports history.

Fans filed in soon after, followed by students - including 95 percent of the football team in one player's estimation. About 400 onlookers showed up in all.

Kannapolis coach Bruce Hardin greeted the media about five minutes before the start, still refusing to divulge Maddox's decision.

Then the man of the hour showed up just in time.

After A.L. Brown Principal Janice Carty and then Wonders' running back coach Glenn Cook kicked off the proceedings, Hardin approached the podium. As he started to speak, a determined fan belted out: ''Go Tar Heels!''

Moments later, Maddox turned that fan blue.

''I'm not going to prolong this any longer. I'll let ya'll know where I'm going,'' said Maddox, who added to the suspense by toting baseball caps of his four finalists. ''For all you Carolina fans, ya'll may be just a little disappointed. I'm sorry. I'll be attending Florida State University.''

The crowd cheered, and they cheered just as loudly when Maddox later announced that he would play as a freshman rather than sit out a redshirt year.

That came as a relief in Wonder World. Kannapolis simply can't imagine a football season without Maddox.

''I know I'm going to be on my couch or in my rocking chair watching him on TV,'' Hardin said.

It's safe to assume that he won't be alone.