David Blaker, football
David Blaker’s common sense sets him apart from most of his contemporaries.
Blaker is a senior football player at Jefferson-Morgan High School who has no plans of playing any sport in college. He’s a linebacker and tight end in football, as well as a centerfielder for the Rockets baseball team.
He hopes to help the environment as an environmental studies major in college, likely at California (Pa.) University.
Blaker was selected as Jefferson-Morgan’s fall sports male representative in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program. The son of Brian and Mary Blaker of Rices Landing, Blaker has two older sisters, Joyce, a 27-year-old occupational therapist, and 24-year-old Amy, who works at The Meadows.
“I’m hoping to study environmental studies and become a conservation officer,” Blaker said. “I’d like to go to California (Pa.) University. I really like to be outside and I like animals, so it would be fun to help them.”
But he has no aspirations of playing sports in college.
“I have problems maintaining a grade-point average while playing sports now, so I figure in college it’s a little harder,” Blaker said. “So I will just focus on studying.”
Meanwhile, Blaker has helped the Rockets on the gridiron and diamond through his years at Jefferson-Morgan.
“I play outside linebacker and tight end, but I like defense better than offense,” Blaker said. “I like tackling in the run game best of all. I like hitting, rather than being hit.”
He had hoped the football team would make the playoffs, but the Rockets lost a heartbreaker to Carmichaels last Friday. Still, his most memorable sports moment was beating the Mikes last season.
“Last year, we had lost three straight games going into the Carmichaels game, but it was a good win for us to beat our rivals,” he said. “It was a good time.”
Even though football is his favorite sport, Blaker holds a special place in his heart for Roberto Clemente, the late Pirates right fielder who always wanted to help those in need. But how did he become so enthralled with a player who died well before Blaker was even born?
“I was supposed to be born on his birthday, but I wasn’t,” Blaker said. “My mom kind of brought me up to speed on his life, I started reading about him and what he did really amazes me, how he helped his community.
“He was a good guy to kids, always signing autographs. He was a great baseball player, too. He got his 3,000th hit, then died that offseason (Dec. 31, 1972) trying to help people.”
523e43ad32df/3737aaaf-d61a-58c5-89c9-523e43ad32df.jpgAmanda Steen | Herald-Standard
David Blaker is Jefferson-Morgan’s fall sports male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
David Blaker
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