NFL Pro Luther Elliss gives back to Mancos High

From the Mancos High School Blue Jay Chronicle, December , 2002
By: Kevin Schlemmer, senior

Mancos graduate and pro football player Luther Elliss has been helping Mancos school athletics since 1996. Principal Gary Hill and teacher Terry Newlin both taught Elliss in school, and they agree that Elliss is a great person.

Elliss wears number 94 on his Detroit Lions jersey, but he still remembers where he came from. Hill said, "Elliss is very generous to the football program and to the basketball program." Hill calls him "a tremendous person, always wanting to give back."

Newlin coached and taught Elliss beginning in eighth grade. Newlin said, "Elliss is a great guy, very caring, willing to do anything for anyone." Newlin recalls all of the equipment Elliss has bought for the football team, like cleats and equipment bags. Elliss also donated $1000, which was matched by a corporate sponsor. Newlin said, "Not many people would do that."

Both Newlin and Hill agreed that Elliss helps because he wants to stay a part of the Mancos community and a part of the school forever.

The basketball program gets support from Elliss who serves as a positive role model for the athletes. He comes in and speaks to the basketball players. At other times the coaches use him as a positive example without him even knowing about it.