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WILKES-BARRE —Moments before he was to address the student body at Meyers High School on Thursday morning, Qadry Ismail spoke to the Mohawks track and field team backstage.
Ismail was in town to present his alma mater with a commemorative NFL golden football, but he couldn’t help sharing a few of his vivid memories from his track and field days.
“As I personally look back on what I’ve accomplished, you look back and you don’t realize what you do until you look back at those moments,” Ismail said. “Then, you reflect back on it and see that the hard work you put in paid off.”
The Meyers track and field team was preparing to leave for the 2016 PIAA Track and Field Championships in Shippensburg, and Ismail not only wished them luck, but provided a few words of wisdom.
Coincidentally, all six of Ismail’s gold medals came in events in which Meyers athletes will participate Friday and Saturday. The Mohawks have participants in hurdling and relay events, Ismail’s two best races. Just as Ismail did in 1988, Meyers’ 3,200 relay team is looking to repeat as state champions this weekend.
“It’s those memories that are fresh in my mind,” the 1988 Meyers grad said, “and the ability to say you are a state champion and say it with pride. … Our legacy is what you’ve built upon that’s awesome. … All of you guys should be proud that you’re going down to states and representing Meyers. I’m getting goosebumps because I know what it is. It’s a fun time, but maintain your focus.”
With that, Ismail, who played in Super Bowl XXXV where he caught a touchdown and helped the Baltimore Ravens defeat the New York Giants, took to the stage and proudly handed over the NFL’s representation of gratitude to the administration. The golden ball is given to every high school that produces a player or coach who takes part in a Super Bowl.
Dozens of signs welcomed the superstar back to Wilkes-Barre for the first time since last summer. He also received a helmet from school personnel. Prior to Ismail speaking, a short highlight reel of his greatest high school, collegiate and professional achievements played for all to see.
“I am a Super Bowl champion and proud to say that I am from Meyers High School,” he said to the crowd. “Yes, I went to Syracuse, but it all started here.”
Not every message Ismail offered to the hundreds in attendance was positive. Upon arrival to Wilkes-Barre, he learned of the controversy the Wilkes-Barre Area School District has endured over recent days.
When entering the school, he noticed protesters and signs posted outside the school trying to persuade administrators not to cut library services, family and consumer science, technology education and art programs.
Ismail was surprised to be notified of the news, and encouraged students by saying he couldn’t leave without addressing the current state of the school. The news of possibly consolidating the three Wilkes-Barre high schools or constructing new buildings was also new to the now 45-year-old residing in Maryland and coaching track and field at Bel Air High School, a school that recently underwent a renovation by being torn down and rebuilt.
“I look at the gold football and it’s about trials and triumphs,” he said. “Now, I know that this is a tough time for people. I just want to honor and respect people who have put themselves in positions to help lives and change and inspire lives. What makes Meyers beautiful is the art of it all and it’s like ‘wow, you’re doing away with that?’ I’m no politician and I don’t know all the details behind it so I’m not going to sound like I do know. But I just know from a spirit of humility.”
As part of his speech, Ismail thanked the protesters for supporting the programs proposed as cost-saving cuts. He ended his address with support of his own.
“Whether they tear it down or whatever, I’m proud to be a Mohawk.”
The NFL announced last year that every high school which produced a player or coach who took part in a Super Bowl will receive a commemorative golden football. This past December, Coughlin grad Bruce Kozerski, who played in Super Bowl XXIII with the Cincinnati Bengals, made an appearance at that Wilkes-Barre school to present the football.
