European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 20, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Sports child of War playing for appalachian St. By Barry Jacobs new York times i t full Ili Lunin and Lime Green Lurl no i. Conrad stadium in Flo one n.c., Are .1 Somji lung Way from 111 . War swept Mekong Rej Jinn of South Vietnam where Todd Paylon spent the first seven and a half of his lift. But for i ill Iii. Ilir Junior Quarter ilk at us Versich. The memories and lessons of those year n in vivid is the l colors the it i i i in this mountainous resort Community. I in Ulilis in four i Hildren of .1 vietnamese Mother Mil .1 l i , Payton. T-Lixit-2, \7r pounds k re ins i ii Slun i a to i in a by -1 record. At nm.1 pm ii flits , he mountaineers were no. S in Llu in Clu mini their highest rating Ever. runs .1 Lull 11 Merrul Iii lense Relief nil Short ind Ilu Iii Ting of senior tailback non Settle. Next h Woods expels s i in flu1 Center of the Allock full of How much no Lolk such is or Indi m munition hts enjoys , to is ill in r in in Sisir his a Tsih Clive on the i Lii live i l sports. My Puers Weru s when Iju Vnti Nirich on it soil. To Lii in in a inv hero s More to lift Knoll ill Mil i Lii is tits liki1 . A Heise Vii Tea int sen Ime is pity inn Anh 1 . A i i it Inri i . My is a Rohri he in l i lit no i Ilif tul hit t irly 11i Hiitt of Takin Shi later in i Lii i1 trunk tur Iriti i he Iii .ill. his lion flown ill in a , in Lour idrivl1 m i i hoi , or in alls if .1 Shell Hil .1 of Clury in the town incl in had to carry his infant Brol huf ind two Sui Kases to .1 . S House thai we by Distant irom the resulting inferno. We Hirn l with toys j said. You picture in desert full of trash when the wind carries the Irish and nobody s around. And if there it anybody around they re real cold. That s the picture i Lurl of but most struck Young pay ton was the peaceful Ness of his new surroundings. I was looking Todd Peyton a native of Vietnam has led appalachian state to Gridiron glory. No Roth tin i photo around , what s Bing on is this How life s supposed to be i guess in is. And i m enjoying every moment of the Navy family moved frequently spending time in several cities in Florida and Washington Chicago ind most recently Norfolk ant Virginia Beach a sports was an important icebreaker for the youngster. He had Learned oct str in Vietnam Anil baseball in Morida. In Virginia he took up football. By Louse of his soccer background Payton was a until his High school coach noticed his Strong Arm. Paylon Learned How to read situations and think As ,1 , and Sunn he was being recruited by major colleges such As Iowa slate West Virginia Maryland North Carolina and North Carolina state. Also in the Hunt was appalachian which last appeared in postseason play in 1955. Payton saw football As a Chance to earn a scholarship the coaching staff saw him As a natural Leader who could transform their football fortunes. Paylon spent his first season As a Holder for the place kicker and backup quarterback. Last year he became he starter As a Sophomore throwing for a if 2 Yards and three touchdowns while completing 56 percent of his passes. The mountaineers went by their Best record in a decade. They also led i a schools in turnover margin losing the Ball Only 10 times All year. Payton was six limes. If there s a split second decision hell always make the Safe decision the calculated decisions Iid Woods. You can count on him. I think that s remarkable for a Ruy his tailback Settle marvels at his Roo male s aplomb on and off the Field. He s always Cool no Mailer what happens said Nellle. He recently broke the conference career Rushing record set by stump Mitchell now with the National football league St. Louis cardinals. The polite pay ton does gel excited however when discussing Freedom or the vietnamese heritage he has Learned to cherish. He openly admires relatives who braved Storrm and pirates in Small boats to flee the communist country. He Speaks glowingly of the successful Battle to Chi Minh led to drive colonial French forces Oul of Vietnam fallowing world War ii and says he understands better his Mother s concern that he Honor his roots. As for the . Involvement in Vietnam he admits to mixed feelings i m not partial to one Side said Paylon who aspires to a career As a television or radio reporter. I m just sorry it i think he appreciates being in America probably More than native born americans because of where he came from said Nellle who is from Rural North Carolina. When 1 realize what he s gone through and listen to him talk i appreciate i More 16 Lori pit nug tint Notum bar 20,1986
