Redbird LB worked midnight shift during two-a-days

by Steve Dunford 

WEST FRANKFORT, IL  –  I had this idea to write this story when the 11 year old kid mowed the Rose Garden for President Donald Trump.  “That’s the real future of the country right there — we’re lucky,” the president said. “Maybe he’ll be president someday.”

When this story became viral, I thought of Shane Richardson-Veil.  He is a backup linebacker for the West Frankfort Redbirds, and plays on special teams.  During two a day practices at the start of the season, he was putting in up to 12 hour shifts, working midnights at Pepsi-Mid America.

“It was tough. I would have been lucky to slept 10 hours in a five day period and hardly slept in three days,”  Shane said.  His teammates Brandyn Kahl and Tyler Broy told me basically the same thing, “He is one of the hardest workers on the team.  During that stretch he did not miss a practice, and was always on time.”

It was Senior Night and Black Out Cancer night, last Friday at Johnson Field.  Shane was in there the majority of the second half in a 49-8 win over Massac County last Friday night.  One one drive, he had two tackles and nearly a sack.

Other media sources well documented the game Friday night.  There will be times that you will see me “go off the beaten path,” especially in a blowout.

Players like Shane are the heartbeat of a program.  He has a big part of what happens during the week to get the team ready for Friday night.   “Shane is a good kid that works hard both at practice and at work.  He always gives a 100% to the WF Redbird Football Team.  We are glad to have him on the team, and that he is able to balance his school, athletics, and work.”, said West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery.

For the second year in a row the Redbirds are one of the surprise teams in Southern Illinois.

I know from first hand experience how hard he works, because he lives across the alley from me.  I had the privilege of sharing Thanksgiving with him, as well as his mother Schannone, brother Nicky, and mutual friends Dale and Kim Justice, with their son Spencer Metro.

Shane is also a wrestler for the Redbirds.  He had a season ending injury last year with a broken leg.

Shane has one project before he becomes an Eagle Scout.  He had the pleasure of serving as an escort on the Honor Flight this week.

He plans to major in History in college and become a coach.  (A man after my own heart)

Athletics is the extension of the classroom.  The discipline it takes to play a sport or an instrument in the band will carry through your life.  Shane has a very bright future.