Athlete's Face
Naples' Brian Donnelly, 18, is seen in portrait Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 at the Naples Daily News building. The Senior has started at linebacker for the Golden Eagles for the past three seasons. Playing competitively since age 6, he started on flag football. "I accidentally hit a kid and they didn't play me after that," he said recalls. He enrolled in Pop Warner in 3rd grade and the rest is history. At 5'9" 200 pounds he has piqued the interest at Jacksonville University, Valdosta State University and Charleston Southern University. This season he helped lead his team to a semifinal 6A state finish. He hopes to double major in business and education. "The biggest thing for me is that it has taught me life lessons," Donnelly said. "Perseverance, commitment, accountability. When you do something you commit to it." (Corey Perrine/Naples Daily News)