Perry graduate Will Whiton put on the pads for the final time as a high school athlete this past Saturday as the South defeated the North 37-24 in the 43rd annual Shrine Bowl. Whiton was a starting defensive back on the South squad and returned kicks in both the punting and kicking game. The game was the climax of a busy schedule of events for the future college football players in Iowa. One of the special moments for Whiton was the chance to hang out with some kids from the Shriners Hospital.
“We had a day during the mini-camp where the Shriners Hospital brought in around 15 kids to hang out with us during practice. The entire North and South squads played with them all day and really took them under our wing for the entire day. We played football with them and other activities and just made the day fun for them. It was nice to take their eyes and mind off other things that they have going on in their lives.”
The chance to hang out with children fighting a variety of health ailments certainly was an eye opener for the future South Dakota State Jackrabbit.
“It really makes you take a step back and realize how grateful we should be for everything we have in life. I realized I take too many things for granted. It just kind of made me step back and realize how blessed we are with everything going on. The kids were a real inspiration.”
The Raccoon Valley Radio Network will have more on Whiton’s experience at the Shrine Bowl over the next couple of weeks.