In less than a decade, John Weber redefined what it meant to play for ‘Redwood’ nation.
Immokalee High School honored former football coach John Weber during halftime of the Indians’ game on Friday Oct. 23 against Riverdale. Immokalee High School Principal Dan Boddison presented the plaque to Weber officially dedicating the Indians’ football field to the coach that led the program to its first state title, winning the 2004 Class 2A crown.
"I’d like to thank the community of Immokalee, for giving me the opportunity to teach and coach your children. Without you, I would not be standing here and I’m grateful to call Immokalee my home,” Weber said.
Weber coached the Indians from 1998-2007, with previous coaching stints at Riverdale and Cypress Late. Former coaches and players traveled from across the country to be present for Friday's ceremony. Former NFL football player and member of the 2004 state championship team Briane Rolle was one of several in attendance who spoke glowingly of the positive influence that Weber had on their life.
“I always wanted to be like my big brother growing up and Weber had the pleasure of coaching my brother about seven years before I became a high school,” Rolle said. “I remember Coach pulling me aside after my freshman year – I told him I didn’t want to play football.
“He asked me ‘do you want to be great’ and at the time, I wanted to be great, but I didn’t understand what that meant in terms of a great man, a great athlete, a great father, who I feel I am today… I truly mean that I wouldn’t be the man I am today without John Weber.”
Among the speakers was former Immokalee athletic director Linda Ayer. Known affectionately as ‘the true spirit of Immokalee High School’, Ayer will be honored on Saturday as the school will rename its auditorium in her name.
“John (Weber) built a culture here. His trademark and history was made with our state championship in 2004,” Ayer said.
“John taught (his players) more than just football. The football field was his classroom and he taught them accountability, to be resilient, to come out there when you’re tired, when you’re hungry, when you’re worried and be able to fight for that guy that’s next to you.”
The final speaker of the night was Weber’s daughter, Jenny Smith, who explained what it was like to share her father with the football team.
“I never had to compete for his love and attention. His heart was big enough for all of us and somehow, he always had enough love to go around,” Smith said. “He made you feel like you were the most important person at the moment, whether it was me or my brother or a player on the field or a student in the classroom. He gave you his full attention and his full love.
“What made my dad such a special person wasn’t just his knowledge of football, it was his character. As his children, he taught us that your words matter, that integrity matters and that the right thing isn’t always the easy thing. He believe that leadership wasn’t something you talked about, it was something you demonstrated every single day... We are so proud to call you our dad and we are grateful to see you honord in this place that means so much to you.”
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Immokalee renames football field after former state-title winning coach