Greenwood Honors a Local Legend on a Bright Day
In the picturesque city of Greenwood, the morning mist gave way to a bright and warm afternoon, as the community gathered for a memorable celebration on October 30, 2024. Despite the early patches of fog, spirits were high as the town basked in a notable event.
A Day to Remember: Armanti Fredrico Edwards Sr. Day
Monday’s meeting of the Greenwood Touchdown Club was more than just an ordinary gathering. The spotlight was on none other than Armanti Edwards, a former Greenwood High School quarterback whose illustrious career led him to the College Football Hall of Fame. For this reason, October 28 was officially declared “Armanti Fredrico Edwards Sr. Day”, a recognition of his significant contributions and achievements in the world of football.
Greenwood Mayor Brandon Smith presented Edwards with a key to the city—a symbolic gesture that represents the high esteem in which he is held by the community. Former and current Greenwood football coaches, Shell Dula and Chris Liner, proudly joined the celebration, acknowledging Edwards’ impressive career and his impact both on and off the field. Coach Liner, who had coached Edwards during his exceptional time with the Eagles, expressed deep admiration: “His accolades speak for themselves. He’s an incredible person, raised right.”
Local Talent in the Spotlight
Before Edwards took the stage, several local high school players were recognized for their recent performances on the gridiron. Saluda’s Brayden Williams and McCormick’s Quantrell Hearst were awarded Player of the Week honors for their offensive prowess. Williams has been on fire, scoring six touchdowns in his last two games, while Hearst is nearing an impressive 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
Defensive stars, Greenwood’s Bryce Seaborn and Emerald’s Jalon Dunlap, were also honored for their contributions. Seaborn, with his 47 tackles and multiple interceptions this season, and Dunlap, boasting 60 tackles and four sacks, have both shown resilience and skill on the field.
A Legend’s Journey and Words of Wisdom
Speaking to an engaged audience of over 100 people, Edwards shared anecdotes from his life journey, spanning his college days with the Appalachian State Mountaineers to his successful span in the Canadian Football League. His story of leading the Mountaineers to a landmark victory over No. 5 Michigan remains a favorite memory among fans. Edwards recalled fondly, “Everyone in this room remembers where we were during that game,” earning a collective cheer from the crowd.
Despite his successes, Edwards emphasized the importance of character and perseverance beyond the game of football. Addressing the young athletes, he remarked, “Football is not long. Most kids are not going to be able to play college, an even smaller number make it professionally.” He further underscored that overcoming adversity is a trait that serves one well in life. Sharing his personal struggles with injuries, Edwards pointed to resilience as key to his career: “When you get knocked down, how will you respond? I chose to get up.”
As the sun set and the event came to a close, Greenwood basked not only in the warmth of the afternoon sun but in the shared pride of honoring one of their own. The day reinforced the community’s strong ties—celebrating achievements and offering a guiding hand to the next generation of athletes in the Lakelands area.
