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Wayne Whaley

East Burke High football player Tyler Shatley, No. 43, runs with the ball during a game against Freedom High on Nov. 7 in Icard. Shatley is headed to Clemson University after graduation in June to attend college and play football.

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By Ben Doster | The News Herald

Published: November 29, 2008

Despite former Clemson head football coach Tommy Bowden's resignation, Shatley has remained firm in his commitment to the Tigers, turning down strong pushes by North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Butch Davis and North Carolina State Wolfpack head football coach Tom O' Brien.

Icard — Nov. 14 capped off a historic chapter in Burke County high school athletics when the East Burke High Cavaliers fell to the South Mecklenburg High Sabres 18-15 in the first round of the North Carolina High School 4A State Playoffs.
This just was not the end of the Cavaliers season, but it was the last time Tyler "T-Train" Shatley would ever don the blue, silver and white as a player under the lights on Danny Williams Field.
Next season will start a new beginning for him as he sheds the Cavalier colors for orange and white. Shatley has committed to attend college and play football at Clemson University.
Despite it being a disappointing way to end his high school football career, Shatley was even keeled and reflective on what he will always remember as a special part of his life.
"These were the best four years of my life," said Shatley. "I'm really going to miss it."
"He's just a unique person and athlete," said East Burke head football coach Mike Biggerstaff. "You don't have very many opportunities to coach someone like him with the combination of the athleticism and character he has."
The T-Train, at 6 feet 4 inches and 265 ponds, is an opponent's worst nightmare.
Arguably his most memorable performance was in a losing effort to state juggernaut Independence High Patriots in the third round of the state playoffs of his junior year. He rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
That performance impressed Independence head football coach Tom Knotts, who has scene an abundance of talent in his day.
"Shatley is a man," said Knotts.
"When the competition got tougher he raised his game and motivated everyone else around him," said Biggerstaff.
After three years of varsity experience Shatley finished as one of the most productive players in East Burke football history. He ran for 2,001 yards and 31 touchdowns on 372 carries, and scored a total of 198 points. He also caught two passes for 24 yards.
As a part-time defensive player, Shatley finished with 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He also had a career average of 40.7 yards per punt.
"I'm proud of playing on this team, and building those relationships," said Shatley, when asked what his greatest accomplishment was. "Also knowing that you have little kids looking up to you is special."
Two individuals who have played major parts in his development, not just in becoming a good football player, but a great human being, are his father, Neil Shatley, and Biggerstaff. Shatley credits both for the roles they have had in his life.
"My dad is always pushing me to work harder and play harder," said Shatley. "Coach Biggs helped by teaching me stuff I need to know about football and life. He taught me that you have to learn from football. Learn about teamwork and to take the good from the bad. They were both there to help me with the recruiting process too."
Shatley's had college coaches from all over the state and through out the Southeast trying to woo him in an effort to claim a commitment from the big bruiser. It did not take long for him to choose Clemson over the rest. He endured the resignation of Clemson head football coach Tommy Bowden and the uncertainty of the future that follows with having to get to know a new coach and his staff. Many big names are still in the running for the Clemson job, giving Shatley a great opportunity to again prove himself.
Despite Bowden's resignation, Shatley has remained firm in his commitment to the Tigers, turning down strong pushes by North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Butch Davis and North Carolina State Wolfpack head football coach Tom O' Brien and their respective staffs.
When Shatley was asked where he wants to play football, he said, "Clemson. I met some of the recruits and the campus was nice. They have great facilities. I already committed and I'm a man of my word."
Shatley gets excited as he looks forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await him at Clemson and beyond.
"I want to go to college and play ball and study to be an engineer, but eventually I want to be a coach, with sort of a Tony Dungy approach," said Shatley.
He does not care what position they put him at, he just wants to play and help the Tigers win.
"I like to win and I don't like to let people down," said Shatley, when asked what motivates him. "I like to help others out and be as strong as I can be. If you work out it makes a difference when you're playing.
"I really get pumped up when we run out and hear the crowd and getting that first big hit, too," he said.
Next year he will get pumped up when he runs out to the fight song, "Tiger Rag," and then touches Howard's Rock as a crowd of 80-90,000 fans wearing Clemson orange nearly bring down the house at Death Valley with a deafening roar as they see the "T-Train" barrel down the field like a steam-locomotive, ready to flatten someone to the turf.

Ben Doster is a sports writer for the News Herald.

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