Bentley announces donation
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer 12.20.2006
On the day LeCharles Bentley returned to his high school in Northeast Ohio to make a special donation that will aid the future of Cleveland youth, he also took time to discuss his own future and hisongoing recovery from a patellar tendon injury suffered in training camp.
"It's been pretty difficult but it's a humbling experience," the St. Ignatius grad said of his time away from the field. "It's been difficult knowing I'm part of (the Browns) and I can't help and do what I do. Maybe I could've helped, maybe not. But at least I would've been there going through it with them as opposed to being on the outside."
He refuted rumors that he might never return.
"Why wouldn't I?" Bentley answered when asked if he'll be back. "That's news to me."
Bentley began the day by serving as a guest announcer for the school's seniors vs. faculty basketball game. At halftime of the contest, he presented school president Fr. Timothy P Kesicki with a check for $100,000.
Bentley's gift will be used to establish the Verneda Bentley Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of his mother.
"(She taught me) discipline and hard work," Bentley said. "She and my father, I don't have any better role models.
"For my mother to have five kids and to be on 55th in the projects and be a welfare recipient and to be comfortable where she's at in her life, that's huge. She's raised five successful children. She's not on welfare anymore and hasn't been on it in 20-plus years. For her to pick herself up like that is huge."
Each fall semester, the award will be presented to one incoming African-American or Hispanic freshman who demonstrates financial need through the Admissions and Financial Aid offices. The scholarship will be retained all four years, provided the student maintains a 2.0 grade-point-average during his freshmen year and a 2.5 GPA thereafter.
The program will bring one new student in as a Verneda Bentley Scholar in the fall of 2007 and will add a new student each year going forward. There will be four students each year by 2010.
Following the presentation, Bentley spoke to the Ignatius student body preaching two concepts: one learned in high school and the other learned in college at Ohio State.
The first: "Be a man for others" is the mantra of St. Ignatius. The other, "Pay it forward," is a Buckeyes motto passed down through the football program from the days of Woody Hayes.
"It's awesome," senior and student senate member Bob Carroll said. "You can tell everyone was really excited hearing about him coming in today. (The donation) teaches us to remember where we came from. He's coming back here and doing such a nice thing. It sets an amazing example for all of us."
The donation and event was the most recent among several community events involving Bentley.
Bentley sponsored a Thanksgiving dinner for more than 500 people at Victor's Memorable Occasion Banquet Hall in Cleveland on Thanksgiving Day. Saturday, he'll be surprising a local single mother with rent for a year and a special Christmas for her children.
Also, to thank Browns and Buckeye fans for their generosity during his recovery, Bentley announced earlier this week he'll be sending two lucky fans to the BCS Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz. For more information, click the related article abovein the right-hand column.
"It always feels good to make other people feel good," Bentley said. "(It's great) to be able to do it where you grew up and be an integral part of what's going on and being a part of the city. Obviously the city is what makes the team. And if you don't have that you don't have anything."
As for his recovery?
He said he hasn't been jogging just yet but has been riding a bike along with other low-impact exercises.
"I've never been a fan of running at all," he joked. "You can ask (St. Ignatius football) coach (Chuck) Kyle. Even when I am able to do so I don't plan on doing much of it."
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