I just talked today with Mike Roote, who happens to be the down marker guy official for Foley home football games. Mike's daughter, who is a 12th grader, happens to be a trainer for the Foley varsity football team.
After last night's home game against Alma Bryant, Mike could not seem to contain himself about Fluker. But his main theme about Fluker is what an all around great kid he is, about how all the young players look up to him, and how he takes time out to talk with youngsters who idolize him. I asked Mike how he would compare Fluker to Julio Jones, and he said that Fluker is much more outgoing than Julio, and that, besides, the main thing about Julio was, and is, his astounding athleticism. Which in no way is meant to downplay Julio's own outstanding leadership and influence on other players.
Fluker, you may know, comes from the New Orleans Ninth Ward, which was flooded during Katrina. His family was uprooted, moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, then to Mobile, where he played for McGill-Toolin High School, and then moved on over here to Foley.
To me, D. J. Fluker is one of those rare human beings who, because of his athletic ability, is able to rise up out of a background of less than ideal circumstances -- someone who because of his growing up experiences knows what is important in life -- sort of like Bear Bryant, and Nick Saban. You might look into the face of Fluker, in the latest Rivals photo -- and see what I mean. He goes all out in practice and during games, and pancakes his share of opponents, but off the field he is a model citizen. Can't wait to see him at Bama.
