Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago

February 5, 2011
Starks is Super
 
Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS It doesnt seem that long ago we were cheering on Niagara Falls High School football star James Starks as he piled up yardage in our very own backyard Sal Maglie Stadium.

A few years later, the backyard moved a bit, but Starks crowned his college years by setting a University at Buffalo career rushing record with 3,140 yards.

The community winced when Starks then projected to be a possible second- or third-round pick in the NFL Draft went down with a shoulder tear and missed his entire senior year at UB.

Suddenly, his future in football seemed in jeopardy.

But the man affectionately known in his hometown as Buck persevered and refused to give up on his dream.

The end result is something Hollywood couldnt have scripted any better.

The Green Bay Packers took a chance on Starks in the sixth round and, after the 24-year-old spent most of his rookie season out with a torn hamstring, he scored a breakout performance in a Dec. 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Then came the playoffs and Starks really started to shine.

Today, the kid from Niagara Falls will have finished his transition from our backyard to the greatest national stage as the starting running back in Super Bowl XLV when his Packers battle the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Win or lose, Starks is a champion in our view. Hes given this city something it sorely needed a gridiron hero and something positive to cheer for again.

Whether youre a football fan or not, you cant help but smile thinking about Starks story. Not only has Young Buck overcome every obstacle thrown his way, but hes done so with a poise and maturity thats beyond his years.

In an interview with the Niagara Gazette before the NFC Championship game, Starks sheepishly admitted hes become a source of pride here in his hometown.

It shows youre doing something more than playing football, he said. Youre touching peoples lives, giving people hope.

People that dont believe you can go to the NFL, I came from the same place you are, and Im living my dream. As long as you put your mind to it, you can do anything.

Were all wishing Buck the best of luck.


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dfosterf (12h) : Maybe
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Zero2Cool (13h) : No.
Mucky Tundra (15h) : End of a Degu-era
dhazer (16h) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (19h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (20h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (28-Mar) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
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