Neely Crenshaw Character Analysis

Neely Crenshaw went from a little sixth grader to the “all-American” by his senior year of high school. He was treated as a god in the town of Messina. He was able to date, dump and cheat on anyone he wanted. Eddie Rake influenced Neely since he was a kid. Neely was the only one to be influenced so much by Rake. Neely was in sixth grade playing baseball. He was a normal kid. Until, Eddie Rake came and introduced himself. He said, “Good. You’ll make a great spartan quarterback. Rake smiled at the boys, then walked away” (electronic pg. 37). He was only eleven years old when Rake saw something in him. Rake saw his future and protected it. Even after he slapped Neely during the championship game. He still wanted him to do the best he could.

He never cracked open a book and got A’s. He could date whoever he wanted. He cheated and dumped Cameron for Screamer. Cameron still holds some resentment towards Neely. When they meet
Issa 2 again, she said, “Oh get a life! And grow up while you’re at it. You’re not the football hero anymore” (86). He realized that without Rake and his football status he was the hero or god anymore. He had to own up to his mistakes. Some might say that Silo was influenced by Rake more. He took him in after Silo’s father kicked him out of the house. Paul and Neely were talking before Silo arrived. Paul said, “All the time. Be careful what you say about Rake, Nobody loves him like Silo. He’ll come after you.” (13). Silo loved Rake very much but that doesn’t mean Rake influenced him the most. Love is something else. When it comes to influencing it has to be Neely. Rake even wanted Neely to write a Eulogy for the Funeral. In conclusion, Eddie Rake influenced Neely since Neely was eleven till even after he passed away. Neely has gone from a normal person to a god back to a normal person. Since his injury he felt like a fallen hero. Everything that pushed Neely through his life came from Rake. Nobody in Messina was influenced by Rake more than