Life of hard knocks can't bring down flourishing star QB

11/14/2005 10:15:00 AM | Football

by Paul Sokoloski
of The Express-Times

Two Fordham safeties converged at the middle of the field, trying to crunch the dynamic young talent playing quarterback for Lehigh University in a painful vice.

Most quarterbacks around the Patriot League would shudder at the prospect.

Sedale Threatt put his head down and kept going.

Moments later, one linebacker joined the fray, then another. And still Threatt kept churning his legs like a fullback -- willing to push the whole Fordham defense down the field if he had to -- until the weight of the pile finally brought him down after a 16-yard gain.

Over on the Lehigh sideline, head coach Pete Lembo cringed at the sight.

"He's got to learn to go down easier," Lembo said. "He's got to learn to slide. I know that isn't his personality. As an ex-offensive lineman, you love that toughness in your quarterback. You also want him to get up from those gang-tackles."

Lembo says this partly because Threatt already went from top backup to starter when Mark Borda suffered a fractured fibula five weeks ago, and partly because Threatt carries Lehigh's postseason hopes on his shoulders.

But how do you tell a kid who's been fighting his whole life to stop?

He is a son of Sedale Threatt Sr., the former Philadelphia 76ers draft pick who also played for the Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics, eventually becoming the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers when Magic Johnson retired before finishing his NBA career with the Houston Rockets.

But that is about where the relationship with his father ends for Sedale Threatt Jr.

"I'm walking my own path," Lehigh's super-personable sophomore with the infectious smile said. "I haven't seen my father since I was 12."

In 2000, Sedale Threatt Sr. pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to pay child support to six of his children around the country and was sentenced to six months in prison. Reports said one of those children, young Sedale, was owed -- and received -- $46,706.

"The white picket fence and the dog wasn't part of my upbringing," Sedale Threatt Jr. said. "It wasn't sugar-coated. I still love my father, I'll always love him. But truth be told, he really wasn't there."

His mother, Nadine Jackson, was. Living in Mattapan, Mass., just outside of Boston, she worked hard to provide young Sedale with a life full of promise, hope and a quiet yet unshakable confidence that he could blossom into a star.

"My mom always said I was special," Threatt said, breaking into a wide grin. "Great woman. My mom always said I've got a name to uphold."

Turns out, it is hers that Sedale Threatt is most interested in honoring.

Nadine Jackson was an All-America track star at the University of Massachusetts and a three-year letter-winner for the Minutemen from 1981 to 1983.

When people in the Philadelphia area ask him about being a son of a former 76ers star, this is what Sedale Threatt Jr. tells them.

"It's my name. And it's his name," said Threatt, who came to Lehigh from Valley Forge Military Academy. "I'm trying to lead the life that Nadine Jackson would live."

He is leading a football life that has read like a story book so far.

Five weeks ago, Threatt was a seldom-used backup quarterback who was content to watch former Bethlehem Catholic star Mark Borda lead Lehigh's charge to the top of the Patriot League.

Through countless hours of film study and a full summer of preparation, Threatt shot from third string last year to top backup this season. Still, his chances came only at the end of blowout games or during an option play here or there in an effort to take advantage of his uncanny speed.

Then it happened.

Borda went down with a fractured fibula while engineering a comeback victory over Yale on Oct. 15. Threatt came in to finish the job, throwing the tying touchdown and conversion passes in regulation and directing the winning touchdown drive in overtime.

Not only has Lehigh won every game since, the Mountain Hawks haven't even been challenged with Threatt at the helm.

Using the mobility that simply destroys defensive game plans and showing an arm that can stretch the field at any time, Threatt grabbed his opportunity and took off.

He passed for 229 yards in his first start against Bucknell. He rushed for 100 yards to spark a huge victory over Colgate. He tossed four touchdowns against Georgetown. And Saturday at Fordham, Threatt threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a game-high 81 yards and another touchdown.

"He might be one of the most confident people I've ever met," Lehigh senior offensive tackle Tom Toth said. "Not cocky. Confident. If other guys sleep on the bus, he's got his nose in the playbook. He did that as a backup, he's doing it as a starter. Guys have faith in him."

For good reason.

During Threatt's four starts, Lehigh has scored at least 40 points in each of them and averaged 44.5. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes in four-plus games and has been picked off only once during that span while putting up 785 passing yards and 328 rushing yards.

"I never want to be one-dimensional," Threatt said. "I do have a lot of God-given ability. I want to use all my talents."

"It's just great to play alongside him," said wide receiver Winfred Porter, who has flourished as a big-play receiver since Threatt took the helm. "And he's real fun to watch."

"I don't take it for granted whatsoever," Lembo said of Threatt's instant success. "How many times does a sophomore quarterback who's never played before step in and win four games in a row, against anybody?"

Threatt has one more to go to complete his fascinating run, when arch-rival Lafayette comes to Goodman Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Saturday for a game that could provide a magical ending to Lehigh's quest for a Patriot League title.

Take a T off the end of the new quarterback's name, and it is clear who will take the field as Lehigh's biggest threat.

It's the guy with the name of his famous dad, and an electrifying game he developed on his own.

"It's a dream for me," Threatt said. "Ever since I was little, I always wanted to play college sports. To be in this light right now, I'm grateful to God for that."

This story appeared in the Monday, November 14, 2005 edition of The Express-Times. Used with permission.

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