App State’s Singleton overcomes setbacks to achieve

When Tashion Singleton takes the field at Kidd Brewer Stadium one last time Saturday, his football life will flash before his eyes – from the moment he arrived on campus for the first time in 2012 until Appalachian State’s first run to a bowl game.

At some point, Nov. 18, 2012, will cross his mind. That was the night real life flashed before his eyes.

It was a case of wrong place, wrong time, as Singleton and a few friends had stopped by a party at home in Charlotte. They had no idea of the escalating tension between gang members inside the house.

When Singleton and his friends were standing outside, someone walked out and unloaded a gun on the crowd, hitting Singleton and two others.

Even now, exactly what happened is still a blur.

“I remember holding my right side, and I was running into a field to get away from everything that was happening because I didn’t think I was going to live,” Singleton said. “I’m holding my side and saying, ‘I can’t call nobody and God, I j just want to say thank you for letting me see 18,’ and really saying my thank yous and getting my blessings out, because this might be my last time on Earth.

“It was a life-changing moment, and it made me realize life is short and you need to take advantage of every opportunity God gives you.”

Just as quickly as opportunities have come on the football field, they’ve been taken with one injury setback after another.

Slated to contribute as a true freshman, his season ended after one game due to a head injury. In 2013, Singleton played in seven games before missing the entire 2014 season with a serious injury to his arm.

This season, Singleton has missed two games due to injury and will play his 16th game as a Mountaineer on Saturday when App State plays host to Louisiana-Lafayette at 2 p.m. (ESPN3).

It’s been frustrating at times, but through it all, Singleton hasn’t stopped smiling.

“I’m not going to lie, it always seemed like there was something holding me back,” he said. “I’m really blessed to be in the situation that I’m in, grateful that the coaches gave me the opportunity to come play here.

“I’m blessed and I do feel privileged, but it can be somewhat frustrating; always seemed like something was happening. But you have to persevere through it. Worse things happen to better people.”

Opportunity, however, hasn’t slipped away in the classroom.

Admittedly, school wasn’t the most important thing to Singleton early on in high school. It wasn’t until his junior season at West Mecklenburg he buckled down in the classroom, understanding how far football could take him.

By the time he left, he was an honor roll student.

At first, balancing football with college academics was too much, too, until he started working closely with Kim Sherrill, an academic adviser for athletes, and John Sevier, a math professor.

“It was a rough transition at first,” he said. “It seemed like everything was coming down at once and having to balance a schedule, I wasn’t used to that.”

And by the time he leaves App State, he’ll do it as a member of the athletics honor roll, having also been named to the Southern Conference academic honor roll.

“He’s had a ton of adversity that’s faced him and a ton of injuries and through it all, he’s had a positive outlook and a positive attitude, and he always seems to be upbeat and he’s done great in the classroom,” coach Scott Satterfield said.

“He’s a great example for that, and from where he’s come from and to come up here and get his college education paid for and make excellent grades and get that degree, that’s exactly what it’s for.

“The doors that have opened up for him and the relationships and the people he has met here, will serve him going forward.”

Singleton, a fourth-year junior, could return to play next season but decided it was time to move on and pursue a career in the military. Lately, he’s been talking with a Navy recruiter about becoming a pilot.

Years from now, Singleton’s name will be a footnote in the media guide, a member of Appalachian State’s first bowl team. His career statistics – two tackles this season – won’t jump off the page, and he won’t appear at the top of any lists.

But if there was a list of players thankful to put on the black and gold, Singleton would be near the top as he prepares to play his final game at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

“It will definitely be a proud moment to say I did this,” Singleton said. “I made it to college – a Division I college, a prestigious institution like Appalachian State.

“It’s a great place here. I’m proud to say I’m a Mountaineer, and I’m going to die one. I’m going to be proud to say that for the rest of my life.”

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 8:22 PM with the headline "App State’s Singleton overcomes setbacks to achieve."