02-15-2005, 05:34 PM
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>NFL-bound Boley has heart in Elkmont</span>
High school retires linebacker's jersey
By Mark Edwards
DAILY Sports Editor
ELKMONT — Michael Boley still belongs to Elkmont.
Spending five years away at the University of Southern Mississippi compiling an All-America football career as a linebacker doesn't appear to have changed that.
As Boley waits to begin a possible NFL career with the April pro draft, his hometown honored him Monday morning by retiring his Elkmont High football No. 24 at a ceremony at the school's gymnasium. High school, middle school and elementary school students, teachers and staff members and people from the community filled the bleachers.
"Some schools never have the opportunity to do something like this," said Elkmont High assistant principal Tommy Hunter, who was the school's football coach when Boley played for the Red Devils' varsity 1996-99.
"But we have the chance to do it, and Michael is deserving."
Boley seemed eager to continue being part of Elkmont. Although he lives in Tempe, Ariz., to receive intense training for the NFL, he flew home for one day to attend Monday's event.
<a href='http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/050215/boley.shtml' target='_blank'>DECATUR DAILY: Boley has heart in Elkmont</a>
High school retires linebacker's jersey
By Mark Edwards
DAILY Sports Editor
ELKMONT — Michael Boley still belongs to Elkmont.
Spending five years away at the University of Southern Mississippi compiling an All-America football career as a linebacker doesn't appear to have changed that.
As Boley waits to begin a possible NFL career with the April pro draft, his hometown honored him Monday morning by retiring his Elkmont High football No. 24 at a ceremony at the school's gymnasium. High school, middle school and elementary school students, teachers and staff members and people from the community filled the bleachers.
"Some schools never have the opportunity to do something like this," said Elkmont High assistant principal Tommy Hunter, who was the school's football coach when Boley played for the Red Devils' varsity 1996-99.
"But we have the chance to do it, and Michael is deserving."
Boley seemed eager to continue being part of Elkmont. Although he lives in Tempe, Ariz., to receive intense training for the NFL, he flew home for one day to attend Monday's event.
<a href='http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/050215/boley.shtml' target='_blank'>DECATUR DAILY: Boley has heart in Elkmont</a>