Featured Athlete: Noah Naidoo

Daniel Khalil, Staff Writer • September 27, 2019

Naidoo said he earned the positions he has now because he “put in work.” Regardless of his position, though, he said he is “always out there to do [his] best to perform at [his] ability.”

Sophomore Noah Naidoo has played football since first grade, and currently plays running back, backup quarterback, and backup safety for the varsity team.

Profile:

Name: Noah Naidoo

Sport: Football

Position: Running Back, Backup Quarterback and Backup Safety

At a Glance:

Favorite TV Show: HBO Ballers

Favorite Football Player: Kyler Murray

Favorite Class: Math

Favorite Song: Hot by Young Thug

Favorite Restaurant: Cheesecake Factory

Looking Deeper:

The Red Ledger: How long have you been playing football?

Noah Naidoo: I’ve been playing football since about first grade, and then I’ve been playing multiple positions ever since I’ve started.

TRL: What position are you playing right now?

NN: Right now I’m starting at running back. I’m the backup quarterback and I’m the backup safety.

TRL: What do you enjoy most about football?

NN: I like the competition, I like the contact, also I like making friends. Everyday I meet someone new, I learn something new I probably didn’t know about them.

TRL: Why do you think you were chosen to play your position right now?

NN: I was chosen because I put in work. I try to be the best I can to help my teammates the most I can at any position regardless if it’s running back or quarterback or anything. I’m always out there to do my best to perform at my ability.

TRL: How does football work with your school and home life?

NN: Football can take over sometimes, it can be challenging also with all the school work you have. But football teaches you time management, so the more you play, the more comfortable you get, and then the easier it is to manage school life, and out of school, it just gets easy.

TRL: Do you have someone that inspires you?

NN: I look up to my dad, my dad was a student athlete at Miami university, so he helps me with what he can. As of right now I kind of just go on my own path, try to do what’s best for me.

TRL: Is he the one who made you start liking football?

NN: I started liking football out of the womb. I used to carry a football around when I was a little kid. My family is a big sports family, so everywhere we went it was either basketball, football, anything sports related, so I kind of just got on and played every sport I could.

About the Contributors

Daniel Khalil, Staff Writer

Sophomore Daniel Khalil is in his first year on the Red Ledger Staff, fifth year in band, and he is part of the LHS front ensemble. His hobbies include playing video games, watching youtube, and reading in his spare time. When he’s not on his phone, you’ll usually find him staring off into space and contemplating life or arguing about the plot holes in JJBA with his friends. He has one brother, sister, and a dog (whom he loves more than the rest of his family). This year, Daniel hopes to improve his skills in and outside of school, and he is looking forward to an amazing year.

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.