PORT CHARLOTTE Virgil Luther was looking forward to finally making a name for himself on the football field last fall for the Pirates.

But just as his junior season was about to get started, a teammate fell backward into Luther and broke his ankle during the final play of the Kickoff Classic. The injury kept him out for most of his junior season.

Then, the offseason came and a much greater tragedy struck his family.

Virginia Luther, mother to Virgil and his eight siblings (seven brothers and a sister), passed away in her sleep in December.

Ill always have someone in my heart, and thats my mom, Luther said. Shes always on my mind when I play the game. I know shes looking down at us right now, and I do my hardest to make her proud.

When I was younger in Pop Warner, I never liked to play football. But she would always tell me, Just go out there and have fun. And I was like, You know what? I will go have some fun. And what happened? I started liking football. Shes gone now, but I know shes still watching.

While theres many things that Luther misses about his mother from her unwavering support to constant presence at football games and, of course, her cooking he doesnt have to look far to find support. His older brother, Solomon, remained on the football team this season despite having the chance to graduate last spring. And younger brothers Samuel and Tyrell are always close by on the junior varsity field.

Virgil handled it well, Solomon Luther said of his mothers death. Working hard for her makes me proud of him, and Im sure it makes our mom proud, too.

Family means everything to us. Without family, I dont think you can get somewhere in life.

Coach Jordan Ingman recalls how Virginia made her presence felt on the field.

She had a chant where she would bark through the megaphone and the officials would tell me, Coach can you get that person to stop yelling through the megaphone? he said. And Id say, Youre gonna have to go up there and do that, because Im not gonna do it.

She was always positive. Even if we were losing she never had a bad thing to say. That has permeated through her children as well. ... Theyre the greatest people you could ever ask for.

{div}After a season spent on the sidelines, Luther would finally get the chance to play a bigger role for Port Charlotte he rushed 14 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-26 Week 1 win over Hardee last Friday.{/div}

But even if his big Week 1 doesnt turn him into the next Pirates star, he wont be stressing over it, he said. A player that Ingman calls unselfish, Luther has played cornerback, safety, linebacker, a-back and b-back for the Pirates.

Hes played five different positions for us and not once complained about any of that, Ingman said. Unfortunately he had an injury that set him back last year, but even through that he was nothing but positive.

Luther spent many Friday nights at Port Charlotte High watching brothers Martin and T.J. star for the Pirates, and many Saturday afternoons at the local Bandits Pop Warner fields. He remains inspired by his family today and hopes to be playing college football this time next year.

However, with a missed junior season and the coronavirus pandemic, there have been limited chances for Luther to put together highlight packages or visit schools or camps.

Now, with just a few games left to prove himself to college recruiters, he has as much motivation as ever.

All of my brothers and me have always dreamed of playing in college, Luther said.

When my mom was dying we told her, Were gonna make it for you. And she said, One day, I hope you all do. We were like, We got you, mom.

See original here:
Pirates' Luther draws motivation from tough junior year - yoursun.com