For Johnthan Banks, fatherhood matters most (with video ...

STARKVILLE ? Johnthan Banks could have been a millionaire.

Well, he may still be cashing a big check after the NFL Draft next spring, but that doesn?t decrease the significance for Banks, Mississippi State?s preseason All-American who decided to remain in Starkville for his senior season.

Why? He wants to be around his son, 1-year-old K.J., before he goes pro. He also wants to graduate with a degree in criminology to show his son, in the future, what his priorities should be in life.

The motivation? Banks knows all to well what life is like without a father.

Banks? father died in a car accident when he was only 8 years old. The nearby Maben native was forever changed by the death and his grandparents had to raise him.

?It was hard because, like I said, I?ve never had a father figure but I had a grandfather who was a great man,? Banks said. ?He pushed me and pushed me. He was a really good example of being a man. He went to work every day, took care of me and my grandma. But when my dad died, that kind of changed me. It changed me ? not for the good ? but when my dad died, I actually failed school. I just stopped caring because it just takes a lot out of you as a kid when all you know is your daddy. I knew my grandma. She was always there. But your daddy dies, that takes a lot of you.?

We shared Banks? story in today?s Clarion-Ledger. I hope you had the chance to read it this morning. If not, click here for the story, which is part of our ongoing position-by-position series.

Included below is a video of Banks discussing his childhood, his family and his motivation in his final season (and semester) at MSU.

Our position-by-position previews continue Tuesday with the Cam Lawrence-led linebackers.

Source: http://blogs.clarionledger.com/msu/2012/08/20/for-johnthan-banks-fatherhood-matters-most-with-video/

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