High School Phenom actually 22 Year-Old Man

Star athlete at Permian HS really 22

ESPN.com wrote:

ODESSA, Texas -- A lot of guys dream about going back to high school and recapturing their athletic glory days. A man who went by the name of Jerry Joseph did it, police say, and now he's in big trouble.

Authorities say the boyish-looking 22-year-old posed as a 16-year-old sophomore phenom to lead the Permian High School basketball team to the state playoffs. He was jailed on fraud charges, and the rabidly competitive West Texas high school that inspired the movie "Friday Night Lights" may have to forfeit its season.

Boy, that has to suck for almost everybody involved. But there's more! Let's hear from the family:

Quote :

Montimere's mother, Manikisse Montimere of Tamarac, Fla., said she had not seen her son in about two years. She said basketball was important to him.

"I guess he doesn't want me in his life at all," she said. "I always pray to wish him the best."

A 37-year-old cousin, Tales Simeon of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was baffled.

"At 22 years old, if you're good, they still take you in the NBA or wherever you want to go. So why did he try to be something else, to change his age. What happened?" Simeon said. "I have no idea. I don't know what's going on. This is crazy."

I know some folks my age look back wistfully at their HS years, but for a 22 year-old to fake being 16? Seriously, at least try adult life for a while before deciding you'd imitate Danny Almonte!

Yeah, this was a Psych episode.

I knew all those athletes telling kids to stay in school was a bad idea. Now they can't leave!

gaijinguy wrote:

Yeah, this was a Psych episode.

Was it based on this mom?

Man, it's like an epidemic or something.