Everyone will face adversity in their life. Adversity is more difficult when the person is young. It is easy to say, "hang in there," but the act of perseverance is more difficult than just saying it.
Sports is just a game. There are things in life that are much bigger than the game. However, sports can sometimes help with the challenges life throws at us. Sometimes sports bring families/people together and help build a stronger bond.
Dorien Foots is a 2023 graduate of Swainsboro High School. He will be leaving for college on a football scholarship in a few days. Dorien and his family have experienced a lot of adversity over the past few years, but Dorien has persevered. He graduated from high school and earned a college scholarship.
Dorien's father, Dewayne Foots, was a tremendous three-sport athlete at Swainsboro High during the late 90s. Dewayne excelled in football, basketball, and track. Dewayne was a 6 "6 terror on the basketball court. His jumping ability and dunks kept the crowd on their feet. Dewayne was a 1996 Swainsboro High state championship team member and was rated as one of Georgia's top players during his senior year. He was preparing to attend the University of Tennessee, but circumstances did not allow it to go through. After his senior year, he attended Itawamba Community College.
Dorien, like his father, played football, basketball and ran track. Dewayne was always there for games and practices. In 2019 Dorien began his high school career at SHS. 2020 was the start of his sophomore year. In Oct 2020, his grandmother, Mrs. Cindy Wilson Hill, passed. Dorien continued the school year and became an integral member of the sports teams.
Then in Feb 2021, his father Dewayne suddenly and tragically passed. The news shocked the community of Swainsboro and sent shock waves across the state to those who knew Dewayne. I cannot recall when I did not see Dewayne with his kids. I can only imagine the impact his passing had on Dorien and his family. Despite the devastation, Dorien persevered through a tough time. Dorien has a large family, and they did what they could to assist while dealing with their own grief. Dorien's mother, Mrs. Carla Foots, solidified the family. Dewayne's mother, Mrs. Alice Foots, was present. Dorien's uncles, Tim Foots, Mark Wise, Dallas Wise, and Byron Eligah, and aunts Lucy Foots, Raven Wise, Brooke Hodges, and Danielle Foots, all tried to compensate for Dewayne's passing.
Shon Noble was a local coach, mentor, and business owner in Swainsboro. Shon was a member of the 2000 Swainsboro High state championship football team. Shon worked with Dorien before but after Dewayne’s passing, he took him under his wings. Shon continued to coach Dorien but also allowed him to work at his restaurant and learn the business and financial side of life. Unfortunately, in Jan 2022, less than a year after the passing of his father, Shon passed suddenly. The community of Swainsboro was again devastated by the loss of a young and influential leader in the community. Shon had been instrumental in the lives of many of the local youths. Dorien was again traumatized by the loss of someone he admired.
Dorien persevered and continued with his high school career. He began his senior year as a starter on the football team. The team performed well and finished the regular season undefeated. They won their first two playoff games. Dorien and everyone on the team were performing at the top of their games. The third playoff game was against Rabun County, a high-octane offense that passed the ball effectively. The SHS coaches decided to go with a different defensive lineup that did not include Dorien as a starter.
Dorien did not start, nor did he play the entire game. Not playing in the game was difficult for Dorien; he had been out there fighting with his teammates the whole season, and during a big playoff game, he sat and watched. Again, Dorien persevered. He kept his frustrations inside and did what was best for the team. Dorien played in the next two games and made his regular contributions. As a result of his play throughout the season, he was selected to the all-region team and chosen to participate in the Border Bowl game (Georgia vs. South Carolina).
Things did not end after football season. Dorien left the football field for the basketball court. The basketball team performed well. Dorien helped lead them to the region championship and the final four of the state tournament. After basketball, there was no time to relax; it was on to the track field. Dorien won first place in the 400 meters at the region meet and qualified for state. He was also a member of the 4x400 relay team, which also qualified for state. The track team finished third place in the state.
It was an eventful senior year culminating with Dorien signing a scholarship to attend Wingate University. Dorien and his teammates completed one of Swainsboro HighSchool’s most successful athletic seasons. The football team finished in second place, the basketball team finished in 4th place, and the track team finished in third place.
Dorien Foots has accomplished a lot during his high school career. He has persevered and handled a tremendous amount of adversity. These events would have been difficult for anyone, but to experience the traumatic events at such an early age was very impactful. He could have given up on sports, but he kept going. Dorien is an inspiration to people who experience adversity in their lives. We often look for role models and heroes to be our brightest stars; sometimes, they walk quietly amongst us.
We wish Dorien well as he starts his college career. He has learned well from many people, but he has also taught us all something. Dorien’s success is a testament to his mother, grandmothers, uncles, and aunts. It is a testament to his friends, coaches, teachers, school, and community. It is a testament to Coach Shon Nobles, who invested so much into Dorien. It is a testament to his father, Dewayne Foots, who gave him the ability and will to keep going. More than anything, it is a testament to Dorien, who took things in stride and stood up when it was time to be a man. We know it wasn’t easy. It is a testament to a young man who demonstrated the ability to persevere and overcome adversity.
Perseverance: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Adversity: a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.
