ESPN 30 for 30 on Dallas Carter High

#1
wmcovol

wmcovol

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#1
Team of 1988 has a Vol twist. All American safety Derric Evans signed with Tennessee and most likely would have been the starting safety in 1989. Instead he and several of his high school teammates were arrested for a string of armed robberies and were sent to prison

Those around in 1989 remember that was one of Tennessees best team losing only to Bama. After the Bama loss and the following weeks win vs LSU, Vols moved Carl Pickens to safety and he only intercepted a pass in every game the rest of the yr. if Evans had not gotten into trouble who knows what could have happened. Safety was the weak position that season until Pickens took over.

Doug Matthews said the following yr Tennessee was looking for a Juco safety since Pickens didn't want to play safety. They signed Dale Carter.
 
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#2
#2
Yeah I watched the movie on Netflix. I'm a huge Friday Night Lights fan as you can tell by my Avatar. But anyways the Netflix movie about Carter High showed Evans signing his letter of intent to Tennessee in a hot tub. I thought was an embellishment for the movie. But upon looking it up it really happened that way and to this day considered one of most bizarre and unique signing day gimmicks. And that's saying something because now kids try anything to make tv with their signing.
 
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#3
#3
wmcovol said:
Team of 1988 has a Vol twist. All American safety Derric Evans signed with Tennessee and most likely would have been the starting safety in 1989. Instead he and several of his high school teammates were arrested for a string of armed robberies and were sent to prison

Those around in 1989 remember that was one of Tennessees best team losing only to Bama. After the Bama loss and the following weeks win vs LSU, Vols moved Carl Pickens to safety and he only intercepted a pass in every game the rest of the yr. if Evans had not gotten into trouble who knows what could have happened. Safety was the weak position that season until Pickens took over.

Doug Matthews said the following yr Tennessee was looking for a Juco safety since Pickens didn't want to play safety. They signed Dale Carter.
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I love documentaries about sports, especially football. Saw this over the weekend and loved it. Very interesting and a teaching moment for my 16 year old daughter that Jessie Armstead had a moment where he decided not to get involved with the robberies when asked and that one decision changed the trajectory of his life. Instead of jail he went on to Miami and then make millions in the NFL.
 
#4
#4
My freshman year. There was another highly touted kid that I believe discharged a firearm on campus and was kicked off the team. Alumni gym maybe?
 
#7
#7
A very good documentary. I do remember the Vols signing "an All American DB" from Dallas Carter and then hearing about him being arrested for armed robbery. A shame that those 6 or 7 young men threw away an opportunity that was presented to them because of their athletic ability.

It was interesting to see that most of the young men who were involved in the armed robberies came from good homes with Dads who tried to have a strong influence on them. It was heart breaking to see the Dads talking about this then and now.

On a positive note tho, everyone of the young men who were arrested and convicted, became responsible adults after their release from prison. The documentary said none of them were ever in any trouble after their releases. Strong character came from their troubles and missed opportunities.
 
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#8
#8
n_huffhines said:
My eife was born at Oak Cliff hospital. Super ghetto area
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Oak Cliff has undergone gentrification and is now seeing a resurgence. At least according to my acquaintance who lives nearby.
 
#9
#9
Backwards K said:
A very good documentary. I do remember the Vols signing "an All American DB" from Dallas Carter and then hearing about him being arrested for armed robbery. A shame that those 6 or 7 young men threw away an opportunity that was presented to them because of their athletic ability.

It was interesting to see that most of the young men who were involved in the armed robberies came from good homes with Dads who tried to have a strong influence on them. It was heart breaking to see the Dads talking about this then and now.

On a positive note tho, everyone of the young men who were arrested and convicted, became responsible adults after their release from prison. The documentary said none of them were ever in any trouble after their releases. Strong character came from their troubles and missed opportunities.
Click to expand...

Ditto your last paragraph.
 
#10
#10
Tony Evans pastors a church at Oak Cliff,....Dallas Cowboys team chaplain or was team chaplain
 
#13
#13
wmcovol said:
Team of 1988 has a Vol twist. All American safety Derric Evans signed with Tennessee and most likely would have been the starting safety in 1989. Instead he and several of his high school teammates were arrested for a string of armed robberies and were sent to prison

Those around in 1989 remember that was one of Tennessees best team losing only to Bama. After the Bama loss and the following weeks win vs LSU, Vols moved Carl Pickens to safety and he only intercepted a pass in every game the rest of the yr. if Evans had not gotten into trouble who knows what could have happened. Safety was the weak position that season until Pickens took over.

Doug Matthews said the following yr Tennessee was looking for a Juco safety since Pickens didn't want to play safety. They signed Dale Carter.
Click to expand...

I remember reading an article about the kids. Ended up ruining their lives. There is a pic floating around of Evans signing his LOI in a jacuzzi wearing a bodysuit speed-o, sunglasses, and sporting a swanky wine cup by his side.

There was an article a few years back that caught up with the 4. I think Evans actually has a son who played LB for Texas A&M.
 
#14
#14
Theres prob a video floating around somewhere too

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hottubsign.jpg


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#16
#16
At the same time, seated in a hot tub, teammate Derric Evans was all bling-blinged out, with a wine glass in one hand and a ballpoint pen in the other, signing his national letter of intent with Tennessee. "Evans, however, never quite made it to the kickoff. That summer, he and another Carter teammate, Gary Edwards, who signed with Houston, were arrested for a spree of armed robberies of video stores and fast-food joints. The judge handed Evans a 20-year sentence, seven of which he served in prison, and Edwards got 16."

Edit: Got Kirbyed
 

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#17
#17
^^^ They can try and gentrify Oak Cliff...but isn't that like putting a band-aid on a festering wound?
 
#18
#18
wmcovol said:
Doug Matthews said the following yr Tennessee was looking for a Juco safety since Pickens didn't want to play safety. They signed Dale Carter.
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One of my ALL TIME favorite Vols.. Best safety we've ever had.. IMO..
 
#20
#20
McDad said:
Did he tell me lies, PV? I used to live in Addison, btw.
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I don't know. I don't travel down there but as I said, they seem to provide a bunch of content to the local media.

Addison is still nice. I favor the Blue Goose and Spring Creek BBQ down that way.
 
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#21
#21
Plano Vol said:
I don't know. I don't travel down there but as I said, they seem to provide a bunch of content to the local media.

Addison is still nice. I favor the Blue Goose and Spring Creek BBQ down that way.
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I wouldnt put it past him to lie to me. He's a character.

Blue Goose is still open??? We loved that place.

This made my day. Thanks.
 
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