Daler’s Curtis Jenkins leads team trom gridiron to hardwood
Even though his football uniform resembles that of the New York Jets, Curtis Jenkins is not one to boast like the players on Rex Ryan football team. The ever-humble dual sport athlete just led his Farmingdale Dalers to the Nassau County title on the hardwood, just three months after doing the same on the gridiron over rival Massapequa.
In fact, Jenkins has a demeanor that is more like his favorite rapper J. Cole, the modest emcee from North Carolina, than most professional athletes.
He was very excited about winning the title; you just wouldn’t be able to tell by his body language. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It’s really unexplainable,” he said in a modest tone. Most athletes that accomplish such lofty feats are overcome with excitement, but
Jenkins seems to expect these results. After a 34-year drought, it could be that Farmingdale has been waiting for a mellow athlete like Jenkins who does not feel pressure.
Having watched a lot of Jenkins in both sports, it is clear he is one of the most laidback superstars I have ever witnessed. During a mid-February victor over Freeport, he hit two clutch free throws in OT to put his team on top. After the victory, when asked about tuning out the crowd and eliminating the pressure, he simply stated that there was “no pressure,” and it’s “his job as a leader of the team.” Just doing his job comes natural to Jenkins, not so much for everyone else.
Going back to the comparison of J. Cole, he is similar in interviews. Whenever he has the opportunity to boast, he throws cold water on it and praises his upbringing and mentor Jay-Z. It can be stated that Jenkins has a legendary mentor in Buddy Krumenacker, the longtime coach of the football squad.
Although he is not one to star confrontation, Jenkins was motivated to get redemption against Uniondale. Having lost to them in the county semifinals last season, he admits they were on his radar this season.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “I’m glad we were finally able to conquer them.”
Jenkins has made his impact on Farmingdale High School and will graduate as one of the best athletes in school history. And regardless of the outcome, Jenkins will still be the laidback superstar that does not like to show off.
