Charlotte Latin’s Titus Ivory, Observer football player of the week, carries family legacy
Charlotte Latin’s Titus Ivory III, The Observer’s high school football player of the week, said one of the best things about playing for the Hawks is how they are turning more people into believers.
Charlotte Latin was 2-8 last season and lost its final four games. But after last week’s 45-14 win against Covenant Day, Charlotte Latin is 7-0. That’s the best start at the school since 2021 and ties for the second-best in school history.
In 2007, Charlotte Latin finished 13-0 with its best team ever. That 2007 team became the first private school to win The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 regional poll championship.
“The season, man, it’s been going great,” said Ivory III, 18. “Coming off that 2-8 last year was not good and even when we were 3-0 or 4-0 this year, people are like, ‘Y’all are getting lucky. It’s a fluke.’ And as soon as we get to harder games and closer to conference, we’re 7-0 and everybody is starting to realize we’re the real deal now.”
Ivory III — who comes from several generations of great athletes — has been a big part of the change for the Hawks.
Against Covenant Day, for example, he had an interception and several tackles at defensive back. On offense, he turned a simple screen pass into a 57-yard score.
And after that performance, he won a week-long vote from readers to become The Observer’s sixth player of the week this season.
“I felt like I was going really slow,” Ivory said about his scoring play. “I caught it and turned up field and I saw my blockers — shout out to my line — and they were moving with me and they didn’t give me up until I got into the end zone.”
In the stands watching was Titus Ivory II, his father, and one of the best Mecklenburg County players of his generation. And Ivory II’s father, the first Titus, was a generational talent, too.
“There’s a little pressure there,” Titus III said with a laugh. “That name carries something with it.”
The family legacy
Like his son, Titus Ivory II knows how much pressure comes with playing high school sports in Mecklenburg County with that rather famous last name.
Ivory II is the son of the first Titus Ivory, who was one of the first Black players to ever play in the N.C./S.C. Shrine Bowl all-star football game. Ivory I, who passed away in 1998, played in college at Morgan State and came home and became beloved in Charlotte’s African-American community for his charity work for organizations like the Afro American Cultural Center and the United Negro College Fund.
“There is pressure,” Ivory II said. “Having the name, and having the birthright of my father’s name was pressure on me, so I can’t imagine what it’s like to follow in two great men’s footsteps and set different standards.”
Ivory II was a three-sport star at North Mecklenburg, who graduated in 1995 and played basketball at Penn State. In April, The Observer named Ivory II was named one of the top boys’ basketball players of the past 40 years.
In college, Ivory II became an All-Big 10 player at Penn State and earned Defensive Player of the Year Honors. In the 2001 NCAA Tournament, he had 21 points to lead Penn State past No. 5 North Carolina and into its first NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 45 years.
After college, Ivory II played basketball overseas professionally for 11 years, winning two European Championships and one National Cup Championship.
“I always wanted to be better and try to push past my dad,” Ivory II said. “That’s what I want for my child: to push past whatever I accomplished in terms of blessings and work ethic. I know having this (sports) door open can enlighten your life and push you into another life. I just want him to do what he loves and be great at it.”
A late start. A bright future?
Ivory III is playing a full season of organized football for just the third year.
“I grew up playing basketball,” he said, “because of my dad and it just seemed to be the sport to play. But I’m happy and for one blessed to be in the spot that I’m in right now. I couldn’t have done this without God and my parents and the hard work I put into this.”
Ivory III played a little football in seventh grade, but said he wasn’t really focused on the sport. He started high school at Independence, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but transferred to Phillips Academy, near Boston.
“I gave football another shot,” Ivory III said. “I played two games on JV, balled out and played a pivotal role.”
Ivory III came back to Charlotte last year and played on that 2-8 Latin team. He played in all 10 games but had a limited role. So he spent the summer really working on his body and his game. This year, he’s become the team’s third-leading receiver, averaging nearly 25 yards per catch. His three receiving touchdowns are tied for second on the team behind senior Hudson Shoup, who has seven.
On defense, Ivory has 27 tackles from his defensive back spot and his three interceptions is second on the team behind Joe McGirt, who has four.
His father said the younger Ivory is beginning to get some college recruiting attention now, too.
“I’m so proud of him,” Ivory II said, “but it’s nerve-wracking to watch. I remember some days my parents sat together to watch me play and some days, my dad needed to be in his own spot. I’m the same way. My wife will say, ‘You’re not coaching this game!’ But it’s been great to see him go through the struggles of last year and to see all the hard work he put in and have it come to fruition in a positive way with the success and wins. It’s truly been a blessing.”
Ivory III said he just hopes to keep playing like he’s playing and for his team — which plays rival Charlotte Country Day Thursday — to keep winning like it’s been winning.
He said living up the family name is important.
“The stories are everywhere, man,” he said. “I hear all sorts of things about my dad. How he was recruited heavily and how this was his city. Just everywhere I go, and I always have the same name as him. People are like, ‘Y’all must be related.’ It’s good to follow in his footsteps. I have a long way to go to get where he was, but I feel like I’m on the right path. I’m happy to be in this position, too.
“I wouldn’t want to be in anyone else’s shoes.”
Previous winners
(Tap link to read the story)
Week 0: Carson Clutter, Charlotte Latin
Week 1: Sean Brady, Hough High School
Week 2: Fernando Zelaya, Olympic High School
Week 3: Cameron Cyr, Hough High School
Week 4: Jayden Jones, Independence
Week 5: Cameron Johnson, Corvian Community School
This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 6:30 AM.
