University of North Carolina Athletics
Antwon Black: Relying On Faith For His Senior Season
October 1, 2000 | Football
By Laura McCoy
Media Relations Student Assistant
Like Mel Gibson's character in "Braveheart", Antwon Black wonders, "Every man dies, but does every man really live?"
This phrase has come to be his motto, his inspiration.
And live Antwon has. On the football field alone he has contributed on offense, defense and special teams. Now Antwon has a new assignment -- quarterback.
"I was asking myself how I was going to handle this transition," Black says. "But when I made the switch and went back to quarterback, it was like clockwork. It felt like I hadn't missed a step."
lack played QB his junior and senior seasons at Daniel High School, but he hadn't played the position since moving back there last year after UNC starter Ronald Curry went down with a season-ending injury in the fifth game of the 1999 season.
"When they told me I was going to switch positions I was cool with it, but I was thinking to myself that I hadn't played quarterback in three or four years," Black says. "I'm happy to be back on offense though. It's actually my first true love."
This season his job is to prepare himself to be ready for when he is called upon. He played in each of the first three games as a backup to Curry and has completed six of his 11 passes on the season for 110 yards.
"I don't mind being a backup quarterback," Black says. "It is my senior year and I am not getting a lot of playing time, but that is quite all right. God has written my life, and I just have to be patient and wait my turn."
Mike O'Cain, Carolina's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, remembers recruiting Black when he was the head coach at NC State. The two met at the Wolfpack's quarterback/receiver camp the summer before Black's senior year in high school. O'Cain admires Black's unselfishness in permanently moving his position as a senior.
"He probably hasn't played as much as he would like to have as a result of moving around, but he never complains," O'Cain says. "The only thing that Antwon lacks is experience at that position to be an excellent quarterback.
"We recruited him at quarterback when I was at NC State, but we weren't able to get him. Now I am glad we didn't."
Developing consistency in his short time back on the job is the key for Black. With a role model like his, future Hall of Famer John Elway, you know he's on the right track.
"I admire Elway because he is consistent even when adversity strikes," Black says. "He is able to step up his play and turn the game around and take control."
As well as learning the consistency needed to be a big-time college quarterback, Black has also learned a lot about being a leader. It's something Black looks to translate to his life when he has graduated from Carolina and is done with football. An exercise and sports science major, he plans to teach physical education in high school.
"My philosophy behind teaching is to get kids interested in their school work and athletics," says Black, who notes the importance of keeping kids motivated and involved in athletics. "In high school, I played football, then went straight to basketball season and then ran track. I didn't have any free time to get into trouble."
He said that his high school teachers in Central, S.C., helped to shape his positive attitude and strong character -- especially toward Carolina. "My teachers were very supportive of me playing football at UNC," he says. "They thought the school had strong academics. I never received any grief about not attending Clemson."
As for his internal strength --Black credits his grandmother.
"I love my grandmother more than anybody in the world," Black says. "I have watched her survive three brain tumors and am truly grateful she is still with us. Through her experience she has shown me how to live and overcome adversity.
"She is a strong Christian woman, who never gives up and is never negative. By far she is the most influential person in my life, reflecting her strength through her perseverance."
As well as strength and wisdom, Black's grandmother has instilled in him a sense of religious values. Black has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a Christian group for student athletes that meets Monday nights on campus. He was the vice president his sophomore year.
lack has also founded his own Christian group, CrossFirst. "This group is a cross of lines of non-denominational, racial and ethnic groups all joining together in their common belief in God. Anybody can be a member -- you just have to be a believer," Black says.
Last year the group met on Thursday nights at midnight in the pit to sing, pray and gather. The crowd was known to top 100 people.
"When you speak with boldness and authority you keep people's attention and they will listen," says Black. "But what people will recognize more are your actions."
And that's what Carolina fans are noticing this year with Black. Even as a backup, he is an integral part of this Tar Heel team -- both on and off the field.
