NEWBERRY — Kicker, turned head coach, turned stand-up comedian Marty Simpson uses his unique brand of humor to promote his faith.
He did just that as the keynote speaker at the Newberry County Touchdown Club on Monday night.
Simpson first distinguished himself kicking field goals at Spring Valley High School where he set and tied three separate state records in the late 1980’s. The Vikings also took home the AAAA State Championship on the strength of an overtime field goal from Simpson.
He went on to start 44 games for the South Carolina Gamecocks where recorded the fourth longest punt in school history, a 79 yarder against Vanderbilt.
After nine years coaching at Ben Lippen School, Simpson turned his sights toward becoming an entertainer.
Much of his humor Monday night dealt with his experience as a Gamecock player as well as the struggles of the current Carolina Squad.
Simpson joked that the Gamecocks are so bad that every time they beat Tennessee the Volunteers fire their coach. He then added that when South Carolina beat Florida in 2014 they likewise severed ties with then head coach Will Muschamp.
“Basically if you’re coaching against South Carolina you’re coaching for your job,” Simpson said.
He also said that in 1992 a large aerial photograph of Williams-Brice Stadium was located outside of the locker room featuring a slogan that read “The best play here.”
Simpson said: “Man I was like, ‘That sign is so true. Alabama plays there. Florida plays there.’”
Simpson said a major turning point in his collegiate career was initiated by his bible study leader who challenged him to take a leap of faith on the field.
“God is God in your life whether you make or miss a field goal, Marty,” said the leader. “So I challenge you to kick the ball and no matter what the result is, make or miss, for you to hit a knee and pray and thank God for your scholarship and thank God for your family.”
The following season Simpson said after every kick attempted he would kneel down on the field and express his gratitude to the Lord.
Contained within that anecdote was the takeaway from his routine, which lifted the analogy beyond football.
“Life is going to go on. You’re going to have kids that are going to need surgery. You’re going to have grandparents that are going to pass away untimely,” he said. “God is God, make or miss.”
Simpson’s comic stylings were preceded by the recognition of two players from Newberry High School who were selected to participate in the 2015 Shrine Bowl.
Quarterback Yafari Werts and tight end Demarcus Gilmore will travel to Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg to take on the best high school players from North Carolina on Dec. 19.
Accompanying these two will be the head coach of conference rival Mid-Carolina, Louis Alexander, who was selected as an assistant coach earlier this month.
Being the final gathering of the year, the Touchdown Club also honored the recipients of the Donnie Shell and Willie Scott awards.
The Willie Scott award is given annually to a player who the club’s members feel has represented the county with honor.
“Sometimes accolades aren’t made by how many yards you throw a football, or how many yards you rush. But more so the way you represent yourself, your team, your school, your family, your community and the sport itself with dignity, strong character and respect for both sides of the field of play,” said radio personality Jimmie Coggins.
This year’s award went to Newberry College kicker Joseph Foster, son of Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster.
The Donnie Shell award was instituted to recognize the county’s premier high school player for the season. This year it was given to Newberry quarterback Yafari Werts.
Newberry College’s Player’s of the Month were Raleigh Yeldell, Taylor McDonnell and Kyle Clark. Running back Romelo Doctor was named Newberry College’s Player of the Year.
2015 All-County Team
• Whitmire Community School: Alex Ellison, West Jenkins and Austin Jenkins
• Mid-Carolina High School: Rashon Graham, Corey Stone and Tray Green
• Newberry High School: Yafari Werts, JaCeree Caldwell and Demarcus Gilmore
• Newberry Academy: Tyrese Taylor, Landen York and Jimmy Franklin
2015 All-Academic Team
• Whitmire Community School: Brad Burleson and Darien Gilliam
• Mid-Carolina High School: Dante Meade and Landon Dowd
• Newberry High School: Andrew Livingston and Hunter Hawkins
• Newberry Academy: Landon York and Jimmy Franklin