Prep football: Leadership skills East captain continues family traditions on and off the field

Jennifer Gustavson

Sep. 25, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- East senior Jon Webb has never been afraid to get his hands dirty. In fact, good old-fashioned hard work has got him to where he is today. Over the past three years, he has made a name for himself on the football field. Now in his senior year, Webb is leading the ranks as a team captain and star receiver on a reloading East team.

"He's just a model of consistency," said first -year coach Larry Eldracher. "He's an impressive player -- always lays it out there."

However, as the third of four brothers in the Webb family, he's not alone in that distinction. Jon's two older brothers -- Nick, now playing for Weber State, and Adam, currently on an LDS Church mission -- were also star players and team captains for the Leopards.

While they've always toed the line in pads, what's more important -- and impressive -- to Jon's parents and coaches is the tradition the Webb brothers off the field.

Since the eldest brother's days as a Leopard, the Webb boys have used whatever time remains between two-a-days, training camps, games and practices to lend a helping hand to an elderly couple in their neighborhood. Carolyn and Larry Blake recruited the family full of boys to help with basic house and yard work after Larry began to struggle with the effects of cerebral palsy. Adam was the first to offer his services to the Blakes, who passed the duties on to his younger brother, Nick, after graduation. Eventually, Jon was handed the role, and soon, the duties will be handed down to the youngest Webb brother -- and future Leopard -- William.

While work at the Blakes has never been easy, the Webb brothers viewed it as an opportunity.

After all, the Webbs and Larry Blake had plenty to talk about.

More than 60 years ago, Blake himself was a star player on East's football team. Though he had trouble communicating his experiences to the Webbs due to his ailments, his wife would pull out newspaper clippings and photos of her husband in his days as a Leopard.

"We are all pretty competitive and athletic," Nick said. "It was amazing to have that sports connection with him generations later."

But, the connection between Blake and the Webbs ran even deeper.

Growing up, Adam, Nick and Jon never knew their grandfather. As the Webbs spent more time at the Blakes, the connection and admiration between the two families grew.

"We all grew really close," Nick said. "We wanted to help because they became like family to us."

When Larry Blake passed away a few years ago, the Webbs struggled with the loss of the only grandfather figure they had ever known. But the work continued -- and it's paid dividends for Jon on and off the football field. According to Jon, his work at the Blake household taught him how to be a better player -- and a better person.

"[Carolyn Blake] has taught us things you don't get in everyday life," Jon said. "She taught us work ethic and how to be a gentleman."

Coach Eldracher agrees.

"[Jon's] one of those guys who jumps in and recognizes the things that a coach appreciates before he's even asked to do it," Eldracher said. "He's the first to practice and the last to leave. He pushes himself on the field and then cleans up after the other guys. Those are the kinds of things a coach hopes for but generally only gets from a few."

Still, Jon is not one to advertise his good deeds to his coaches or friends. In fact, Eldracher was unaware of Jon's charitable work -- but he also wasn't shocked.

"It doesn't surprise me," he said. "He's a pretty caring individual. There's a pretty good tradition and a real sense of leadership within his family."

According to Jon's dad, Chuck Webb, his sons have been the beneficiary of the relationship.

"If you ask me, the Blakes have done more for them," he said. "She did her part in raising these kids. It's been a great opportunity for them."

And they've got more than dirty hands to show for it.

jgustavson@sltrib.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0192-28322738