Tattnall grad Ahmad Barron tests positive, and has a message: "I’m gonna smile, I’m gonna stay positive through this tough time.”

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          Ahmad Barron wasn’t overlooked by opponents during his football days at Tattnall, but his 5-6, 165-frame led to being overlooked by college programs.

          The opponents knew what Barron brought.

          He has another opponent to stare down.

          Barron posted on his Facebook page Tuesday evening that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

          Barron was a standout at Tattnall, rushing for more than 1,600 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns as a senior, helping the Trojans to a 12-1 record and GHSA Region 7-A title. He was also a regular in basketball.

          He is a rising junior at Reinhardt, playing in seven games last year.

          Barron posted a video of more than seven minutes, where he turned a potentially horrible situation into a message of inspiration.

          He didn’t go into details about the test, the results of which he apparently got earlier Tuesday, nor anything else about the next steps.

          Instead, he had a message.

          “I’m a very spiritual guy,” he said. “I’m all about positive vibes.”

          He said he’s been holding a lot in, but has to still be him, even after testing positive.

          “I’ve been outside since 9:30 this morning, 9:30 to 1 o’clock, I’ve been on the phone with people, with former coaches, my family, my friends.”

          And he’s spent time with a book he displayed, “Strength for the Day.”

          Barron said he has questioned his face recently, but has gotten signs that he’s ignored.

          “I know for a fact that (God) chose me for a reason,” Barron said. “I’m God’s warrior. I wear it on my arm every day.”

          He showed a black wristband saying “God’s Warrior,” as well as one with “I Am Gifted.” He said he had been doing pushups all afternoon, and hadn’t been inside his house.

          “It’s just kinda been eating me up.”

          Barron smiled a lot throughout the video, as much from exasperation and frustration as anything. He said he had to express himself.

          “Go get tested,” he said. “It’s not a chore.”

          He reiterated holding things in, believing he could handle anything.

          “And make everything better. And I can’t. I can’t without God. … I’ve been struggling with my faith. That’s not who I am.”

          He read a variety of excerpts – including from the Bible, and from a collection that was part of the obituary program of his younger sister Aquia, who died at age 12 in 2013 from cerebral palsy - in the video, but returned to a main point: confidence from faith.

          “Whatever’s holding you down, holding you back, and you feel like you can’t get out of, you feel you can’t climb out of, you can. God’s chosen you for a reason, you know what I’m saying.”

          And that came with a huge smile.

          He finished up and signed off, but then was back on video walking, and smiling.

          “I’m tired of walking around and feeling down, not smiling, man,” he said. “That’s not me, that’s not who I am. I’m gonna smile, I’m gonna stay positive through this tough time.”

          “God will never leave. I know He’s gonna be with me … with God’s warrior. Make sure you keep a strong faith. I love you. Please pray. I’m out.”