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Posted Monday, November 26, 2007, at 1:50 PM
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(Photo)
Mario Whitney

I had posted the first part of KOMU's feature on Mario Whitney in a previous Weblog entry.

Here's part two, which covers more of Whitney's brief career at Missouri, his decision to leave and updates his current status.

Whitney suffered a shoulder injury that derailed his football career and then felt like he wasn't cared for at Mizzou.

In the story, Whitney said, "I just kind of figured that life would keep giving me these breaks here and there, here and there, here and there and it just didn't happen."

He has been to a couple of schools since, but his stick-to-itiveness is commendable.

Interestingly, Whitney, whose final season at Jackson was 2001, completed his junior season at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He earned all-Midwest League honors after rushing for 794 yards in eight games.

Here's part of the release from the university:

Whitney, who worked his way into the starting role midway through the year, rushed 136 times for 794 yards (5.8 per carry) in just eight games for an average of 99.2 yards per game. The junior also had 11 touchdowns. If he would have been eligible to be ranked in the MSFA (need to play 75% of the team's games), he would have been fifth in rushing yards per game and tied for second in rushing touchdowns.


Comments
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Is "super mario" really still applicable?

-- Posted by richiro33 on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:05 PM

He had speed unlike any player that's ever come through this area but he didn't have that toughness you want in a running back. He was on a different level in high school because he couldn't be caught. Looks like he's packed on a few pounds. I wonder how much speed he still has. Personally, I always thought his niche would have been in track and field. He could've been an Olympian.

-- Posted by semohoops on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:10 PM

"I would like to win the NAIA player of the year. That's my goal, next year as a senior to win the NAIA player of the year," Mario said.

Well I see he still hasn't lost his swagger.

-- Posted by NoDisclosure on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:36 PM

Check out his myspace page.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...

-- Posted by NoDisclosure on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:39 PM

A degree in "physical fitness"? Will that qualify him to teach PE, or will he just graduate in good shape? (That's not sarcasm, I really don't know what having a degree in "physical fitness" means)

-- Posted by CapeRacer on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:44 PM

ND: wow. That's a serious minded athlete.

-- Posted by CapeRacer on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:45 PM

Nutritionists, physical trainers, personal trainers, PE teachers, etc, depending on your emphasis. Health and Wellness jobs are in decent demand right now. Some schools will also combine their Recreation training into this Dept, others have separate degrees for each.

-- Posted by boomerang on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 2:58 PM

It's actually a good story overall. At least he isn't one of these guys who has fallen through the cracks and ended up in jail.

-- Posted by NoDisclosure on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 3:34 PM

This IS a good story. Anytime a SEMO native is doing well, it's a good story.

Often, when young people run into adversity, they just collapse. This guy must have some guts.

He doesn't look as 'in shape' as most college RB's... but I hope he continues to do well.

-- Posted by OlderEagle on Mon, Nov 26, 2007, at 5:00 PM

From what I hear, he hasnt lost much of his speed.

-- Posted by Hello on Tue, Nov 27, 2007, at 8:46 AM

And to think that I thought he drank Natty Light. My bad.

-- Posted by hugh m bean on Tue, Nov 27, 2007, at 10:17 AM

Super Mario is still an appropriate name, even if some may not agree. Not only has he basically picked up where he left off in high school, but he is even more super. Some may ask why do I say that? Because not only does he still have the super speed, but he also has the super attitude to make it and well, he is just a super swell guy all around. Mario man, do your thang. Remember we really live for an audience of "1."

-- Posted by blessedle on Wed, Dec 5, 2007, at 12:00 PM

He sticks to things? Really? No, he has been to 3 colleges, which means he's bounced from one thing to another.

Yes, he's still playing college football (at 24, for goodness sake), because I'm sure it beats settling down and working.

Go look at his webpage. All centered around alcohol and partying. Yes, he's real dedicated to his craft. Geesh!

-- Posted by SEMOfan80 on Fri, Dec 7, 2007, at 12:58 PM

First of all Mario is 24, and his life is not centered around partying. Atleast he is in college. Yeah, he has bounced from school to school, a lot of young adults do that, but he has seemed to found one he likes. And that comment about him still playing college ball at 24 just means that he will graduate debt free. I have known Mario and his family going on 11 years, and trust that he will come out on top.

This reminds me of when he was in high school and people getting so mad because he was so fast and ran around their sons vs. running through them. Some things never change, haters!

-- Posted by maggie83 on Wed, Jul 2, 2008, at 11:59 PM


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