Washingtons life, future back on track

Robert Washington's life seemed destined for NFL riches. Schools from across the country wanted the talented running back. Scholarship offers flooded in from every conference. He was taking unofficial visits to some of the nation's most storied programs and participating in elite camps.

And he was only in middle school.

Slowly, though, the present and future fame slid into the past. The skills of other prospects in the 2016 class surpassed those of Washington.

Last spring, Washington tried to announce a commitment to Florida via a Bleacher Report video. The Gators would not accept his commitment at that time and Washington quickly changed course and committed to Syracuse. In July, Washington decommitted from Syracuse.

The drastic change of course in his football life, though, was nothing compared with his personal life.

Washington grew up with his father in North Carolina while his mother lived in Connecticut. Around the time of his commitment to Syracuse in the spring of his junior year, Washington's home life became strained and he went to live with his mother.

"It was the best decision for everybody, me and my family," Washington said. "I moved up there and lived up there for about two months. Up there, I got in a school, but I wasn't able to play football. I just worked out."

Due to transfer rules, Washington was unable to participate in team activities at Bridgeport (Conn.) Harding High School, and things would get worse before they got better.

Life at home with his mother devolved and suddenly Washington was out on the streets before the spring semester was complete.

"After my situation went bad, I ended up homeless for a couple days," he said. "I stayed by a church every night. It was a tough time. I was only 17 at the time and there were so many things running through my mind. I was focused on where I was going to sleep, what I was going to eat, what am I going to do for clothing, what am I going to do for this, how am I going to get out of this situation and back to North Carolina.

"Every night all of that was running through my mind and I just prayed while I was out there that God would keep me safe and lead me to the right thing to do. I waited it out and finally got an opportunity because somebody, a stranger, gave me some change so I could use a pay phone. God helped me out. My church helped me and I took a bus about 22 hours. Man, that ride was long. It was tough."

Going back to his family in North Carolina was not an option, so Washington turned to his church, Ascending Faith Christian Ministries, for help.

"When I was made aware of the situation, Robert was on his way back home," said the church's pastor, Lisa Sanders. "We at Ascending Faith believe that when there is a need we stick together not only for the spiritual things but also for things that pertain to the natural. … Anyone that reaches out to this ministry, we provide what we think is necessary to help them get back on track. With that being something that we've always done, this was nothing out of the normal."

Ascending Faith also assisted Washington by putting him in touch with community leaders.

"They took it upon themselves to take the stress off of me to help me focus on school and get everything worked out with football," Washington said. "The adults in my life and in the community really took the stress off me. That's the reason I really made it through this."

Thanks to Pastor Sanders and the members of Ascending Faith, Washington now had a roof over his head, but to get back on track, he would need to get back into school.

The members of Ascending Faith arranged for Washington to meet with Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell. Bell played an integral role in helping Washington navigate through all the red tape, clearing the way for Washington to resume high school at East Gaston High. And because he was essentially transferring from one North Carolina high school to another from a football perspective, it took all of September to get him cleared and eligible to participate in games.

"I went to the District Attorney's office the first day I was down here," Washington said. "Locke Bell helped me out so much. When I came back here I was lost and didn't know what to do. He was a father figure to me and helped me through so much emotionally, physically, legally and spiritually. He helped me out with some legal things, court documents and trying to get everything worked out for school. We tried to get me back into East Gaston and work out things from there."

Sanders echoed Washington's appreciation for Bell's involvement.

"Locke Bell initiated this whole process," she said. "He has been wonderful. He stepped in and listened to this kid. Robert came and told me, 'Locke Bell prayed for me. The District Attorney of Gaston County prayed with me and he assured me everything is going to be all right. I need you hold strong.' That says a lot about Gaston County, the District Attorney and the people that we have elected to be our officials. We can thank God for Locke Bell."

Bell seemed glad that other community members stepped in to offer their help.

"Robert's a wonderful young man, very humble and quiet," he said. "I was very impressed with him. He already had a very good support system of people that brought him to see me. These were people that I knew in town. I met with all of them and they were really the ones that were instrumental in helping him."

Washington's return to action was at Huntersville (N.C.) Lake Norman Charter on Oct. 2.

"In my first game, it was cold and raining but it was fun to out there with these guys playing around, running around and having fun," he said. "We blended so well during that game and I'm so happy they took me in."

Washington has produced since returning to the field, rushing for 708 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games.

Away from school and the football field, Washington has developed a solid support system.

"Right now my home life is great," Washington said. "I stay with my pastor and I'm really close to God. They've really helped me out with my spiritual life. It's a really good place where I feel comfortable and I like it."

Washington has always had a smile on his face and, luckily, his journey hasn't taken that from him. He actually says he has benefitted from it.

"Looking back at everything that happened and what I've been through, I just take it out on the football field, all my stress and my anger," he said. "I'm definitely calmer and happier now. I'm happy I went through all this because I'm stronger for it. It showed me some things that I never thought I'd be able to do and some things I wouldn't be able to accomplish.

"It definitely showed me the people I need to surround myself with. The people that actually supported me and helped me through this, those are the people I need to keep in my life for the long run and stay in contact with when I go off to college.

"The main thing I've taken away from all this is hardship and overcoming things. In the future, if I get approached by something hard, maybe not as serious, I know there are ways to solve the problem."

Through all of this, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Washington would still like to continue his football career. He has been reaching out to Pittsburgh, East Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska and Michigan. Due to some academic concerns caused by his troubles during the second semester of his junior year, Washington may have to enroll in a junior college before he can fulfill his dream of playing for an FBS school.

"I definitely want to play in college," he said. "I love football. Right now I'm an open book and I'm looking for the right school for me, coaches I can surround myself with and trust."

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