Billy Nelson hopes his past will be just that — the past.
His focus now is today, and tomorrow.
Nelson, a senior from Evergreen, signed a letter of intent Wednesday afternoon for a football scholarship to Weber State University in Utah.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Nelson said, adding he felt “accomplished” on this day.
Talented enough on the field, for sure, but this was no automatic deal.
Nelson starred at Portland’s Roosevelt High School before off-the-field legal problems and struggles in the classroom led him and his family to make a change. The change was coming to Evergreen for Nelson’s senior year.
“They knew about my past, and they said they’d do what they could to help me succceed in life,” Nelson said.
That meant more than just a place to play football. Nelson and his family credit coach Don Johnson Jr. and the Evergreen staff for their direction.
“Coach Johnson walked me through everything,” Nelson said.
Nelson improved his grades and scored well on the SAT, leading to opportunities beyond high school football.
On Signing Day, Nelson woke up expecting to sign with Division II Western Oregon. But at noon, Weber State officials came calling, wondering if Nelson was still available. He was, and the Wildcats offered Nelson a scholarship.
Weber State officials talked to Nelson and his family via phone. One of the Weber State coaches said he was given a second chance when he was young, and it changed his life.
It took almost two hours for the paperwork to be emailed to Evergreen, but once the letter of intent arrived, Johnson had more advice for Nelson. He explained that Nelson owed it to himself to take advantage of this opportunity.
At 2:26 p.m., Nelson signed the document.
Nelson thanked everyone associated with Evergreen.
“They worry about your future more than anything else,” Nelson said.
