The Kansas City Star
June 13, 1996
Edition: METROPOLITAN
Section: ZONE/WYANDOTTE COUNTY
Page: 15

Immaculata player finds that last chance has become opportunity
Author: DAVID BOYCE; Staff Writer

A year ago, nobody could have imagined N'Namdi Parks of Immaculata playing in the annual Metro Classic high school all-star football game.
Parks had just sat out his second straight football season because of a neck injury suffered in practice at the beginning of his sophomore year.
His neck was healed, but the fear was very much there. Having part of your body become slightly paralyzed will do that.
But prodding by such teammates as John Shepherd and his own restlessness pushed Parks, a 5-foot-11 running back, to the football field.

"I didn't want to sit around my senior year," Parks said.

His decision became beneficial for himself and the Raiders' football team. Parks gained more than 1,000 yards and helped Immaculata win its Kansas 3A district and bidistrict playoff games.

He said he wasn't surprised by what he accomplished even though he had been away from the game for two years.

The season included a long, game-winning touchdown pass reception from Brendan Fitzgerald in the closing minutes of a game against Basehor-Linwood.

"That was a good game," Parks said. "That is a game I will remember because of that catch. ''Now there is only one more high school football game to be played, the Metro Classic, which pits the best players on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area against the best from the Kansas side. It will be next Thursday at Shawnee Mission South.

"It's a privilege to play in this game," Parks said. "There are a lot of good players in the Kansas City area. "Practice for the football game began Monday at MidAmerica Nazarene College, and Parks was anxious to see how he stacked up against players from larger schools that he saw only in television highlights.

"I'm interested in seeing what kind of competition is in 6A," Parks said. "They say in 3A we are not as talented. We will find out. "Parks no longer worries about reinjuring his neck. He wears a thick collar around his helmet."

His football career will continue in the fall at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He's hoping to play well enough there the next two years to move up to a four-year school.

Copyright 1996 The Kansas City Star Co.