LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
FROM FRANK YANOSSY

It is a great honor to recommend Carl Joseph for induction into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame. There is no one individual more deserving or worthy of this prestigious award.

As a young man, Carl demonstrated a passion and deep sense of respect for the game of football. He enjoyed playing with his teammates, endured the punishing physical contact, and embraced the challenges to achieve greatness. He approached the daily physical challenges with determination, dedication, and above all, unselfishness which inspired not only the coaching staff and players, but the entire community.

Carl was a leader, both on and off the Field. While in pads, Carl led the team not by intimidation, but by encouragement. Carl led by example. He had developed throughout his young life a strong sense of quiet confidence, which drew his teammates to him. They looked to him in time of trial. Carl's positive outlook in all situations was contagious. Off the field, Carl was a role model for the younger students. Elementary students would seek Carl's attention. He often would be found at the local primary school volunteering in the classrooms. Young students could see through Carl that nothing in life was impossible for them.

Perhaps the characteristic I admired most in Carl Joseph was his dedication to the team and his fellow teammates. Carl was a unique young man, handling many pyhsical and emotional challenges with grace and humility. He never asked for, or accepted, any favoritism. When practice required lengthy and exhausting agility drills, he always actively participated. The end of practice always required the running of "wind" sprints. This initially would solicit moans from the tired and dirty players, until they saw Carl was hitting the skill at a hundred and ten percent.

During the game, one's eye would follow the journey of the football as it moved up and down the field. However, eventually one's eye would be drawn to a tall young man moving at lightening speed across the field on one leg. One would expect that when it was time for the defense to "set up the wall" on the punt return, Carl would be pulled from the play. Carl would never ask to be taken out of the play just because it was too far for him to rush down the field. Carl never quit on himself and he never quit on the team. Carl knew what challenges had to be overcome to become a good football player. He confronted those challenges with enthusiasm and great pride for the game of football.

In closing, coaches are always looking for those "special" players who will have a positive impact on the team as a whole. Carl was one of those "special " players. He was mentally and physically tough, enthusiastic, and a natural born leader. His fellow teammates recognized his tenacity in the game, his commitment to the team and a love for the game of football; and for that, they deeply respected him. Through it all -- the dirt, the sweat, the torn jerseys, the tears of defeat, and the cheers of victory -- Carl Joseph would stand tall. Carl was always there balancing on one leg, poised and confident, ready to play the game he loved. For this reason, and for many more, it is my opinion that Carl Joseph deserves to be inducted into Florida's High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Frank E. Yanossy