Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Haitian linebacker Withney Simon loves being a Saluki
08/09/2016 | 4:32:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The son of Haitian immigrants, Saluki sophomore linebacker Withney Simon has always kept his priorities in order — faith, family, friends and football. His parents made sure of that.
Simon's father, Chavannes, left impoverished Haiti in 1999 in search of a better life for his family in the United States. Four years later, he had saved up enough money to bring his wife, Rose, his four daughters and eight-year-old son, Withney.
Together, they carved out a modest life in Orlando, where mom and dad both worked, and the kids pitched in to help maintain a safe and stable home. More importantly, Simon's parents instilled a value system in their kids that stressed virtue, hard work and education. They wanted no limits on who their children could become or what they could achieve.
"My dad wanted the best in life for us," Simon said. "He wanted us to have a better education. He recognized that America has better opportunities for everyone."
"We didn't have snack foods in Haiti," he explained. "When we came to America, there were so many groceries in the house and I was stuffing my face. I was fat. I was a chunky little dude."
He recalls his sisters teasing him about his chubby face. Embarrassed, he learned to discipline his eating habits and shed the extra pounds.
After watching college and NFL games on TV, and attending a Citrus Bowl game in person, Simon became enamored with American football. In eighth grade, he pleaded with his parents to let him play. His mom was supportive — his dad was opposed. They finally gave in, under the condition that God and family would still rank above football on his priority list. So while other kids would go home after practice, Simon would take a bus downtown to his night job as a janitor that helped sustain the family of seven.
Simon was a natural on the gridiron. During his first two seasons at Jones High School, he was coached by 10-year NFL veteran Kenard Lang, who put him at linebacker after witnessing his uncanny ability to diagnose plays. By Simon's senior year, he was rated the No. 16 prospect in the football hotbed of central Florida and was a 4A first-team All-State pick. He made 110 tackles with seven sacks as a senior.
Simon was sure he could play at the FBS level, but that confidence was shaken when Conference USA member Florida Atlantic informed him its final linebacker scholarship would go to someone else. A disheartened Simon went to church to pray about the situation. While he was sitting in the pew, a text message came through from SIU offensive coordinator Nick Hill. He believed it was a sign.
"He called me as soon as he got out of church, and I offered him a scholarship," said Hill, who is now the team's 30-year-old head coach. "He committed on the spot. It's the fastest anyone has ever committed."
As word spread of his commitment to SIU, multiple offers came in for Simon.
"I wasn't budging," he said. "My heart was set."
Simon burst onto the scene as a true freshman at Southern in 2015, forgoing a redshirt season and playing nine games as a reserve and special teamer. He had a season-high 10 tackles and a sack at Southeast Missouri State. He enters fall camp as the starting strong-side linebacker in Southern's new 4-3 scheme. At 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, he says speed and instincts are his greatest assets.
"I see things before they happen," Simon explained. "I react fast. I don't second-guess myself."
Even though he has a scholarship to pay his college tuition, Simon still works a side job on campus as a janitor. He finally saved up enough money this summer to buy a used car, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own wheels.
Simon loves being a Saluki and is not afraid to spread the word. In fact, he helped recruit Haitian teammate and best friend Vincent Martin, as well as Wyoming transfer C.J. Jennings and Colorado State transfer Deionte Gaines, who are both from Orlando. He was also instrumental in helping land Delaware transfer Roman Tatum and Florida transfer Ryan Sousa.
"When you're talking about character, Withney's really a kid you can trust his opinion," Hill said. "If Withney Simon says he's a good kid, then he's probably the type of person we want to bring in here."
So what was his sales pitch to his friends from back home?
"I told them that everything Coach Hill told me in recruiting was no lie," Simon explained. "The best man is going to be on the field. They don't play favoritism. The school cares about you, about your academics."
Last year, Simon finished with a 3.0 GPA for the first time in his academic career and made the Dean's List during the summer.
Southern opens the 2016 season, ironically, at Florida Atlantic on Sept. 3. Not only will Simon have a chance to show FAU what they missed out on, but it will be the first time his parents will see him play football.
"It's going to be a very emotional game," Simon said.
