David Knevel wears a University of Nebraska cap during a news conference at Pauline Johnson Collegiate yesterday in Brantford. The 6-foot-9 inch, 296-pound offensive lineman announced that he was going to become a Cornhusker. (Brian Thompson/QMI AGENCY)
BRANTFORD, ONT. - Here in the heart of the Great One’s hometown, just a slapshot away from the Wayne Gretzky Parkway, a veritable who’s who of local dignitaries including the city’s mayor gathered Tuesday for a highly anticipated sports-related announcement that involved pigskin, not pucks.
On the second floor of Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School, in a room stuffed with friends and family, cameras and microphones, teachers and coaches, even regional and provincial politicians, 6-foot-8, 305 lb. David Knevel ended months of speculation spawned by the wooing of more than 30 Division I U.S. colleges by declaring he was taking his budding offensive tackle skills to the University of Nebraska.
“I told my brother D.J. I don’t want to be a farmer (like him), but that I have decided to be a hard-working Cornhusker,” quipped the personable Knevel, he of the imposing physique and the intoxicating smile.
