Friday, September 30, 2022
Lasting smile Graphic by Sam Beebe
How the Grant family’s heart healed everyone wants to be around, and Grant Jr. personified the extreme of their nature. Since childhood, they say Grant Jr. carried an exuberant personality who loved family, enjoyed every aspect of life and brought others up with an infecGabriel Trevino tious smile. On someone’s darkest day, Sports Editor those close said Grant Jr.’s smile could bring people back to life with charm and sympathy. DUNCANVILLE, Texas — VerWhether it be jumping on his non Grant Jr.’s smile illuminated. And it cousin’s bed from excitement to helping proved genetic. uncles with work, Grant Jr. became a Vernon Grant III is just like his treasured, irreplaceable member of the dad — energetic, full of life and an family and community. unwavering human spirit. Which is odd, He transferred his joy to sports. considering the two barely knew each At Duncanville High School, other. Grant Jr. led the Panthers on the track, Grant III was only 8 months old and on the football field. when his father, Grant Jr., was unable “Even as ninth graders, we just to survive injuries suffered from a car enjoyed life,” said Daniel McLemore, crash in his hometown. lifelong friend and teammate of Grant But the boy who grew from the Jr. “He was so joyful. At practice we shadow of having no father became a flew all over the field, made jokes and person as bright as his dad in almost laughed. He brought excitement to the every way. game. If you were having a bad day he Including the smile. would come over to you and smile. “That smile brightened your day.” ***** Grant Jr. wasn’t just the overexcited teammate, he was the star of his Vernon Grant Sr. didn’t have a teams. On the track, Grant Jr. helped set second thought on what name he wanted the school record for the 4x100 meter to give to his son. relay, a mark that stood for more than “There always needs to be a Ver- 20 years. non on this earth,” Grant Sr. said. As a defensive back on the southThe Grant family members deDallas suburb’s powerhouse football scribe themselves as outgoing people program, Grant Jr. became a player his
teammates loved, and opponents hated. “In elementary school he won an oratorical contest,” said Phynice Brown, Grant Jr.’s aunt. “He was vocal. He was also a leader. When he hit the field, he had a big mouth. His teammates would have to tell him ‘Let them see what you could do.’” So he did both. Grant Jr. earned the mark of a four-star rated recruit and committed to Oklahoma State for football in 2002. In his time at OSU, fans became well-aware of No. 20. Right before kickoffs, Grant Jr. ran onto the field, pointed at the crowd, waved his arms in the air and received the attention of the 50,000 fans at Lewis Field, raising the volume in the stadium single-handedly. The on-field antics and level of play made Grant Jr. a fan favorite. In an era long before NIL, fans in attendance sported his jersey in support for their beloved player. Everywhere he went, Grant Jr. drew others to admire the spectacles he created. “On game day he came with a lot of energy, and he got everybody hyped up,” said Anthony Grant, his cousin and former teammate. “He brought so much energy to the field, and he was one of those players that everybody loved to play with.” Off the field, Grant Jr. didn’t change from his younger years. In the classroom, Grant Jr. had
dreams of becoming an engineer, even while playing football. Professors said they admired his effort while his family appreciated his high grades, even if his loved ones did not understand when he would try to teach them complex concepts and systems. His leadership qualities appeared more often as the level of play became more serious. It was a trait he always had — something instilled from his father — but the way he carried it out wasn’t as intense. “We used to have morning workouts and one day he came into my room, turned on my light while I was in a deep sleep and started jumping on my bed yelling ‘Wake up, it’s time to get to work,’” McLemore said. “He had that kind of energy.”
***** In late May 2005, Grant Jr. traveled home to Duncanville with a goal. The Stillwater and Dallas celebrity visited his hometown for the weekend to spend time with family before the start of his senior season at OSU. Eight months prior, Grant Jr. suffered through the loss of his mother, Vanessa, but also experienced joy with the birth of his son, Vernon Grant III.
See Smile on page 4
No clownin’ around: “Slapped!” review Micah McKamie Staff Reporter From the moment I stepped into the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts, I could tell David Weber and his production team weren’t clownin’ around. In advance of the weekend’s opening of “Slapped!” set for Friday and Saturday at the Seretean Center, I took in a final rehearsal that delivered on the promise of a lively show. From the lights and sound crew to the actors on stage, there was the buzz of last-minute preparations whirling around the wellsized theater. As the show began, Dakota Norman, who plays Andie, began this well-orchestrated menagerie with a series of slapstick gags that he presented superbly and kept the antics engaging and relaxed, which gives the show an authentic feel from the start. As the lights came up, I was instantly introduced to nearly the
Ethan Hilbert Pete’s Pet Posse helps students across campus adjust to college, keep up with their mental health and have a good time with some cute dogs. Karlie Boothe “Slapped!” an OSU Department of Theatre production will premiere Friday.
entire cast in a showcase of acrobatic skills and well-delivered humor uniquely layered with an updated hip-hop soundtrack that most will find jovial and pleasing. The backdrop and set are dynamically colorful, but with a modern minimalist look which lends well as a story-telling platform and allows for the cast to really be set center stage. With the circus as a setting,
a layered love story unfolds and ultimately leads to the punishment of two greedy elitists and examines philosophical ideas in that SHE (Someone here exists) finds the admiration she seeks from society and lets them laugh at her pain. This brightly presented look at the sad clown, a life altering love affair and the downfall that accompanies overzealous power See Slapped on 3A
Pete’s Pet Posse helps students adjust to college Jacob Plaxico Staff Reporter Starting in 2013, Pete’s Pet Posse has become a staple on campus and its cards have become a part of every collector’s prized
possessions. The Posse spends its time patrolling the campus looking for students, faculty and staff who need a little emotional support or anyone who just wants See Posse on 4A