By SIMON ‘LILSBOY’ ROTHSTEIN
WRESTLING fans know Shelton Benjamin as the WWE intercontinental champion and winner of big matches over Triple H, Ric Flair and Chris Jericho.
But if it wasn’t for a high school wrestling coach with a heart of gold, the Raw star’s life would have turned out very differently.
In an exclusive interview Shelton, who has also held Smackdown’s tag titles, told us how Ron Donlick helped him escape a life of crime and poverty in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
“I was involved in a lot of bad things, “he revealed.
“I wasn’t in a gang but I ran with a crew that got into a lot of trouble – some were drug dealers, one guy sold guns and that sort of thing.
“I was born into that lifestyle, it wasn’t a case of me going out and finding it.
“These were people in my family and in my community. This was the norm for me.
“I always knew I could do something better with myself and wanted to improve my situation. I was never satisfied with what was around me.
“But for a while I had no idea what kind of options I had “then Coach Donlick came along.
“He was the first guy to actually take me by the hand, show me places and explain things to me.
“He gave me a life’s philosophy “‘work hard now so you can live better later’.”
Shelton added that Ron didn’t just preach, he also put himself out to make sure his protégé was on the right path outside of the ring.
The superstar told us: “I picked up wrestling easily, I took to it like a duck to water, but it was in all the other parts of my life that Coach Donlick really took the bull by the horns and directed me.
“He got other teachers to tutor me, so I could get into college, and would make sure I turned up.
“And there were times on the weekend when, instead of going home, I’d go to his house.
“Coach Donlick was my best friend, father figure, role model and confident. He was everything a guy in my situation needed.
“By the middle of my junior year I hung out with him more than anybody else and we’re still tight today.”
Luckily, unlike many youngsters caught in the same trap, Shelton had the support and encouragement of his friends and family in his quest for a better life.
Even if on one occasion his pals nearly went overboard in making sure he fulfilled his sporting potential.
“I was having trouble with the American football coach and they were literally going to go and shoot him on the practice field, “Shelton revealed.
“Fortunately they ran into Coach Donlick “and they love and respect him as much as I do “and he diffused the situation before it got out of control.”
Guns played a big part in Shelton’s youth, causing his mum to fear for the young athlete’s life.
“A lot of people in my neighbourhood carried guns all the time and for a while I even carried one to high school, “he admitted. “Like I said, this was just the norm.
“After the tragedy at Columbine “when those guys murdered their classmates and teachers in school “the whole nation couldn’t believe what had happened.
“But we were like: ‘What’s the big deal? That happens around here all the time. We just don’t get worldwide media coverage for it.’
“There were a couple of times I was caught in gun crossfire. I remember one incident when a friend of mine was having a house party.
“Everyone was hanging out and some people decided to show off a gun that they had in their car.
“They fired a couple of shots in the air, which scared some other people who got the guns out of their cars and then all of sudden people were shooting back and forth.
“No one knew who was shooting from where so we were all ducking and covering “on the front lawn at a house party!”
He added: “I was always good at avoiding major trouble “so I don’t think anything bad would have happened to me if I’d carried on that path “but if I hadn’t met Coach Donlick I wouldn’t be doing anything worthwhile or fulfilling with my life. I’d be working a dead end job somewhere.
“I lived in a two bedroom apartment with my mum and three siblings. The thought of actually living in a nice house, with a nice car, in a nice neighbourhood was foreign to me.
“I don’t live a flashy or excessive lifestyle now, but I am comfortable and have peace of mind.
“And I definitely no longer have to worry where the rent is coming from.
“I may be Coach Donlick’s most famous prodigy, but I’m just one of many kids he’s done things like this for.
“There were a lot of people at my high school who wouldn’t have gone to college and wouldn’t have bettered their situation if it wasn’t for Ron.
“They should make a film about him!
Wrestling Gear
