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It's not Caldwell's nature to do anything but shine

Even though he's sometimes shy and always polite, the Jefferson quarterback can't help but sparkle in the spotlight.

By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 12, 2002

Caldwell

TAMPA -- Andre Caldwell stood, almost solemnly, at the south end of the Jefferson High basketball court. His demeanor did nothing to betray the fact that this was a guy who would enter tonight's Class 4A state championship game with 1,249 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on top of 1,255 passing yards with 16 touchdowns.

Off to one side, next to a black-and-gold U.S. Army display with a football jersey and helmet, were his parents, Deborah and Donald, listening intently.

An Army representative paced a few feet away spouting Caldwell's statistics and honors into a microphone, the numbers bouncing off the rafters and reverberating from the far wall. Meanwhile, Caldwell seemed almost embarrassed as the accomplishments rang around the packed gym.

First-team all-county. First-team all-conference. Wide receiver, kick returner, quarterback.

The senior's feet shuffled slightly as he glanced at his Jefferson teammates crowded onto the other end of the court. A sheepish grin exposed the braces on his teeth when it was finally announced that Caldwell was one of 78 players from around the nation chosen to participate in January's Army All-American Bowl.

The quiet and seemingly shy Caldwell turned to hug his parents, shook coach Mike Simmonds' hand and then took the microphone to thank the Army for drafting him to play in the game in San Antonio, Texas.

The wispy thank you was barely audible.

First, I want to thank God and then my Mom and Dad. Without them I wouldn't be able to do any of what I've done.

Then his voice rose as he leaned over to slap a high five with a man on his left.

And I can't forget my uncle.

Caldwell's voice was strengthening now, his arms swinging more.

And my teammates, you know they mean everything to me. And the Army ... And with that, Caldwell's voice boomed. He was at full shimmy now, legs moving and arms pumping, and just like that, he had officially mutated from shy, quiet kid to center of attention.

Those in the crowd swayed and bounced as their football star pumped his fist and pointed and gave shout-outs to anyone and everyone who came to mind. Teachers applauded and administrators cheered as Caldwell rolled through the stirring, off-the-cuff spiel.

The crescendo came when he gave individual recognition to the the Class of "2003, 2004, 2005 and, you know I'm not going to forget the Class of 2006," the entire student body jumped up and screaming as he named their graduation year.

With the gym rocking and students virtually dancing in the aisles, Caldwell handed the microphone to the Army representative and walked across the gym, eyes down, hesitant smile flickering as he rejoined his team.

The transformation was complete. Caldwell had gone from mild-mannered high school senior to star attraction then back to high school student in front of more than 1,000 people.

It was an insight into one of the most talented athletes ever to grace a football field in Hillsborough County. For Caldwell, it was just another day at school.

Caldwell's trip to the top of nearly every recruiting list began in West Tampa when he was barely old enough to go to school.

He was a chubby kid, around 6 years old, when his brother, Reche, gave him the nickname "Bubba." It just seemed like the thing to call a fat younger brother, Andre said, and it stuck.

In addition to taunting his brother, Reche would get Andre out of the house and onto the makeshift football field in their front yard. Those two and anyone they could muster from the neighborhood would play for hours.

Because most of the kids were Reche's friends and, therefore four or five years older, Andre sometimes needed help getting on a team.

"I was usually picked around the middle of the pack," Caldwell said.

As he began playing sports, the baby fat started to fade and Caldwell began to grow into the body of a high school star.

His frame stretched to 6 feet, 3 inches. The muscles in his legs, arms and chest pushed his weight to 185. The fast-twitch muscle fibers turned him into one of the fastest players in the state.

And then Reche gave him the final gift: moves.

Moves that allowed him to pull out of center, step left and glide up the sideline untouched for 95 yards and a touchdown against Lake Gibson. Moves that trick a spectator into thinking a defender has the angle to knock Caldwell out of bounds, only to see that defender miss by 5 yards.

Moves that lead opposing teams to kick off out of bounds and give Jefferson field position on the 40 rather than give Caldwell the chance to add six with another return for a score.

"He's where I get half of my moves," Andre said of Reche, who left the University of Florida early and was drafted in the second round by the San Diego Chargers this year. "It's all from watching him play high school, college and little league."

Apparently Andre's a good learner because some people are having trouble telling the difference between him and his brother.

"One of the best moves (Jefferson) made this season is when they switched (Andre) to quarterback," said Plant coach Darlee Nelson, who coached Reche while at Jefferson and was forced to prepare for Andre this year. "When you put the ball in his hands every play he's going to make something happen. I know what his brother did for (Jefferson's) program and (Andre's) doing the same thing over there. He has all the intangibles. As I watched the two playoff games you could see the same things. You knew (Reche) was going to be a very good player and get better and you can see the same thing with Andre."

On the inside of Caldwell's forearm is a tattoo of a cross and the words "GOD'S CHILD."

"I'm a gift of heaven," Caldwell explained. "He blessed me in a lot of ways."

The tattoo (as well as the explanation) is an understated commitment of faith, but also significant of another Caldwell trait: humility.

Caldwell isn't the player running around butting helmets on the sideline. He doesn't spike the ball or dance after touchdowns. Every interview begins with him crediting his offensive line.

"I've never seen a player as good as that," Simmonds said. "He's got every right to be arrogant but he takes his success with a grain of salt."

Part of that is because he doesn't have to pat his own back. Everyone else is more than willing to do so.

Just ask Lakewood coach Brian Bruch, whose team lost to Jefferson in the region semifinals 31-25: "If they didn't have Caldwell we'd beat them by three touchdowns. You just can't slow him down."

Or Lake Gibson coach Brian Armstrong, Jefferson's victim in the region final: "Any time No. 9 is on the field he has a chance to go as far as they need him to go."

Mostly though, it's just not in Caldwell's nature to brag.

"I'm a laid-back kind of person," he said. "I like to lead by example."

And, when leading by example prompts thousands of people to stand and cheer and chant his name like the day of the All-America Bowl announcement, he knows how to handle that too.

"That was very exciting to have that many fans behind me and supporting us as a team," Caldwell said. "I like to be the center of attention."

Quotebook

"I knew it was just a matter of time before I scored if I had the ball in my hands. That's just the way I felt. I knew if I could get one step in the clear then I would go all the way. It's a rush getting that step and knowing you're going to score." -- Andre Caldwell explaining how he felt after the Lakeland George Jenkins game on Nov. 15 in which he had a hand in all six Jefferson touchdowns. He rushed for three (63, 53 and 7 yards), passed for two (67 and 59) and returned a 60-yard punt for another (the only time Jenkins punted to him) in the 42-24 win. He finished with 328 total yards, including 127 rushing and 141 passing.

"Let me tell you, any time No. 9 is on the field he has a chance to go as far as (the Dragons) need him to go." -- Brian Armstrong, Lake Gibson coach

"If (Jefferson) didn't have Caldwell, we'd beat them by three touchdowns. You just can't slow him down. You put a rush on and flush him out and then you're in trouble. Or you make him throw the ball. Really, it's just a matter of picking your own poison." -- Brian Bruch, Lakewood coach

"In my mind, I've never seen a player as good as that. He has got every right to be arrogant but he takes his success with a grain of salt." -- Mike Simmonds, Jefferson coach

"All he needs is a crack, just a little seam, and he'll take it the rest of the way." -- Jonathan Bailes, Jefferson offensive lineman

"The offense with Andre gives us confidence. It takes a load off. Andre can run, he can pass. He's a triple threat." -- Rashaun Grant, Jefferson running back

"One of the best moves (Jefferson) made this season is when they switched (Caldwell) to quarterback. When you put the ball in his hands every play, he's going to make something happen." -- Darlee Nelson, Plant coach

"He's a good receiver with good hands and a lot of skill. He has great instincts and good speed and he gets off the line well and gets open." -- Allen Wallace, SuperPrep

ANDRE CALDWELL BY THE NUMBERS

2 -- Rank by rivals.com among Florida seniors.

3 -- Punt returns for touchdowns.

9 -- Jersey number.

12 -- Consecutive Jefferson wins since he was installed as the starting quarterback in Week 3.

12.7 -- Yards per carry average.

16 -- Touchdown passes.

18 -- Touchdown runs.

95 -- Yards of his longest touchdown run of the season.

328 -- Total yards gained against Lakeland George Jenkins in the region quarterfinals.

1,249 -- Total rushing yards.

1,255 -- Total passing yards.

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