When Elias Redlew was a 14-year-old freshman donning football pads for the first time to try to impress his parents back home, he didn't know what he was doing.
“I didn’t know what range of motion I would have or how it would affect my speed,” he said.
His father tried to help him.
“I went outside and knocked on the door and he said, 'You're going to have to get used to the pads.'
Redlew, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, wears the pads as comfortably as Superman in a red cape.
He became a three-sport standout at San Pedro High with a 4.7 GPA. He was the City Division's Open Division Offensive Player of the Year as a junior wide receiver. He has 60 catches for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He is also the starting dunking guard for the basketball team and is one of the favorites to win the city high jump championship after finishing second last year.
He'll be one of the players to watch when San Pedro hosts Carson on Thursday night to decide the Marine League football championship.
“He never played football until high school,” coach Corey Walsh said. “His potential is very high. Every year he gets better.”
Redlew's intelligence, coupled with his personality that allows him to not be afraid to explore new experiences, gives the picture of an athlete who is not afraid to be uncomfortable at times.
“Experience brings you intelligence,” he said. “If you step out of your comfort zone, it will lead to an accumulation of knowledge.”
San Pedro basketball coach John Bobich has known Redlew since he was 11 years old. He played on a youth basketball team with his son.
“He is one of the most humble and kind athletes I know,” Bobic said. “He definitely holds the record for most fist bumps, because not a day goes by that Elias comes up with fist bumps and a smile and says, 'Hey, Coach B!'
Redlew got a B in high school. He is taking four advanced placement courses this semester.
“I'm up for the challenge,” he said. “To play sports, I had to study with textbooks. In high school, I was always shy and thought I could do it on my own. I learned to ask for help. Teachers will never refuse to help you.”
Redlew welcomes challenges on and off the field. He's had some amazing performances this season. He had six catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns against Wilmington Banning. He had 11 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns against undefeated Laguna Beach. Had six catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Granada Hills Kennedy.
Wide receiver Elias Redlew of San Pedro has a 4.7 GPA.
(Jonathan Alcorn/For The Times)
Redlew said about playing receiver: “I really like how different it is. There are so many unknown things you can do with the player who's guarding you. He doesn't know your next move. You have the ability to impact the game as long as your team trusts you.”
San Pedro (5-4, 3-0) vs. Carson (6-3, 3-0) is always a tough rivalry. This one should be better than ever. In addition to the championship, a win for Carson is on the line, which could propel the Colts into the No. 1 spot in the City Section Open Division playoffs. Pairings will be announced on Saturday. The atmosphere in San Pedro must be electric.
“I can't wait for this game,” Redlew said. “Everyone will be there. Everyone knows it's the biggest game of the year and our graduation night.”
If San Pedro wins, maybe he'll dunk in the gym afterwards or take out the high jump pit and try to score his career-best 6-2.
No matter what happens, you can admire a teenager who gets A's on his report card, plays three sports, and wants to challenge his mind and body every day.
