TAMPA - It was an honor John Forbes will never forget and an image his parents remember well.
At 8 years old, he won a karate trophy that came up to his shoulders. How things have changed.
Or maybe not.
Thursday, the Alonso senior heaved up the nearly 4-foot Guy Toph Award and carried it out of the Hillsborough County School Board building. Still one of the smaller guys in his sport, he proved size is merely a state of mind.
"I don't doubt his resilience," said Garry Forbes, John's father. "He does have a strong will."
"And a hard head," mother Kathryn added.
Forbes, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound tailback, led the county with more than 1,700 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns despite a fairly inexperienced offensive line.
He helped lead Alonso, a three-year-old program, from 2-8 in 2002 to 8-2 and its first playoff berth.
"I'm definitely proud having seen him develop into this outstanding player," Alonso coach Mike Heldt said. "He may not be big in stature, but he's big in heart, whether it's carrying the ball or cheering on the defense."
Forbes was told to get dressed up to attend an awards ceremony Thursday morning. But like other athletes who collected awards in their sports, the honor was a surprise. The 64-year-old Guy Toph trophy, Hillsborough county's version of the Heisman, was presented by Joe Toph, the son of the former Plant football player.
Forbes has a 3.94 grade point average and is considering Ohio, The Citadel, Air Force, and Florida Atlantic, among others.
"He's going to go somewhere and do well," Heldt said. "He can take hit after hit and keep going."
Garry Forbes said he was surprised more state schools aren't looking at his son but understands size is a concern.
"You can blame my mom for (my height)," John Forbes said. "That's okay, though. I still love her."
Forbes shrugged at the suggestion he would leave a legacy as Alonso's first Guy Toph winner. Instead, he will look out for younger brother Mike, a freshman.
"He's not as fast or as strong as me," Forbes said. "But that's okay."
