Damon West Update

[DeepGreen]

For those that remember QB Damon West from the early 1990's at UNT, here's the latest.

http://www.panews.com/2016/02/25/rosary-mothers-advice-helped-survive-hell-on-earth/

Glad he's turned his life around.

[SilverEagle]

The name only sounds vaguely familiar. I had to look in a media guide that lists all the people (limited time frame) that earned a letter at North Texas. Damon West earned a letter in 1995. Do you happen to know where he played HS ball?

[EagleMBA]

VERY moving life story. Thanks for posting that, Deep.

[DeepGreen]

39 minutes ago, SilverEagle said:

The name only sounds vaguely familiar. I had to look in a media guide that lists all the people (limited time frame) that earned a letter at North Texas. Damon West earned a letter in 1995. Do you happen to know where he played HS ball?

He was a very good QB out of Thomas Jefferson HS(5A/6A), now Memorial,  in Port Arthur, Tx.  His Dad was the sports editor for the PA News.

[greenjoe]

I've been working with a man that spent a good (?) amount of time in prison.  Not to excuse what anyone did to get to prison, but these people have a daunting uphill task getting back into society.  Lots and lots of landlords don't want them.  Lots of employers won't interview them.  Some jobs are out of the question for them.  Perhaps if prospective criminals knew the obstacles they will face after doing their time, they might think twice.

 

I hope things go better for Damon.

 

GO MEAN GREEN

[Mean Green 93-98]

I'm surprised to hear that he is out already.  I don't recall the exact length of the sentence, but I'm thinking at least 20+ years, and that couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 years ago.

Silver, he played some, and I think he actually started some games for us in the mid- to late-90's.  He was in that QB rotation that came after Jason Mills.

[meanrob]

If my memory serves me correct he started a game against the Aggies down in CS. He had a lot of family there and was injured (broken leg?) in the first series. Don't think he played again. 

[DeepGreen]

11 minutes ago, meanrob said:

If my memory serves me correct he started a game against the Aggies down in CS. He had a lot of family there and was injured (broken leg?) in the first series. Don't think he played again. 

I think you are correct Mean Rob.  And, I think, he recovered from that injury, then during the summer, he slipped and fell taking a shower, damaging his achilles tendon.  I think he was done after that.

I do recall Damon throwing for a TD(or 2) against Arizona State.  I think he was a Freshman or Soph.

Edited April 17, 2016 by DeepGreen

[UNTLifer]

The article states that he was sentenced to 65 years, so I was also surprised to hear that he was already out. I wish him well and hope that he has put everything behind him. 

[UNTexas]

I played with Damon from the start of my freshman year all the way until the end. He screwed up massively but I'll always consider him a friend and hope to see him soon. I'm really happy he's out and I hope he's put this nonsense in the rear view.

[untjim1995]

I have served on several ACTS Retreats and Kolbe Ministry Teams...his story is not unusual, in finding his way back up, with the help of these retreats. ACTS Retreats are held by parishes within the Catholic diocese, while Kolbe retreats are done within the walls of a prison for the prisoners.

Damon West is an example of someone who found the wrong path, but he was fortunate to have a community that opened up their arms to help him help himself. If you know anyone who ever needs help, Catholic or not, I cannot recommend an ACTS Retreat enough for that person, male or female, to attend. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton has a strong ACTS Community, as do many other parishes in the state. If anyone ever has an interest, please feel free to PM me. You might just help save the life of someone, like it appears it has done with Damon.

Edited April 19, 2016 by untjim1995

[yyz28]

Damon was our suitemate at Kerr Hall his freshman year.  He was a good guy and always had a smile for anyone.  I was saddened to hear of his downfall, and am equally heartened to hear, in his own words, his return from the depths of despair. There is always a way back. Be it through God or a belief in yourself. 

Proud of you, Damon!

[Harry]

Proud of this guy for fighting back. 

[SilverEagle]

On 4/17/2016 at 2:39 PM, Mean Green 93-98 said:

I'm surprised to hear that he is out already.  I don't recall the exact length of the sentence, but I'm thinking at least 20+ years, and that couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 years ago.

Silver, he played some, and I think he actually started some games for us in the mid- to late-90's.  He was in that QB rotation that came after Jason Mills.

That was during the Matt Simon/Helwig era. I might have attended one game a year during that era, as I didn't feel wanted or appreciated by the Helwig administration.

[untjim1995]

21 hours ago, SilverEagle said:

That was during the Matt Simon/Helwig era. I might have attended one game a year during that era, as I didn't feel wanted or appreciated by the Helwig administration.

Do you feel wanted or appreciated by RV? 

[SilverEagle]

Well, compared to Helwig, yes. Helwig was an arrogant a$$hole, who (along with his staff) didn't lower himself to talk to all us rubes who were ordinary NT graduates.  RV is just a used care salesman. He plays very fast and loose with the truth, but at least he talks to you.

[untjim1995]

20 minutes ago, SilverEagle said:

Well, compared to Helwig, yes. Helwig was an arrogant a$$hole, who (along with his staff) didn't lower himself to talk to all us rubes who were ordinary NT graduates.  RV is just a used care salesman. He plays very fast and loose with the truth, but at least he talks to you.

True