By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
A shoulder injury may have pushed Clarence Baker off the football field, but he didn’t let that stop him from being an athlete.
Wanting to stay involved, the former Southside High School football and track star took up cheerleading at Coastal Carolina. It’s a decision he’s glad he made.
And it all came about thanks to doing a favor for a friend.
Baker said while the football and basketball players he cheers for are naturally gifted, he said cheerleaders have to be athletic as well.
Baker used to be on the other end of the cheering when he was a receiver and kickoff/punt returner at Methodist. He learned then that performing in the classroom was just as important as performing on the field.
Baker is hoping that his shoulder will heal and he’ll be able to return to the football field. But, for now, he’s happy standing on the sidelines and cheering on his friends.