Jan. 27
January 27, 2009Anthony Roland Sigur Jr.
January 29, 2009
In his all too brief life, Geavonta “G” Raeshawn Steele had a warm smile for anyone he met and a keen nose for the football on the field.
So it came as a shock to all who knew the 16-year-old Houma Junior High freshman to learn of his death on Jan. 13.
Steele died from a noncontagious form of bacterial meningitis, an infection that spreads into the bloodstream and infects the brain and spinal cord.
“I haven’t heard of too many kids his age dying from this type of meningitis,” said Floyd Sneeze, Steele’s stepfather. “Usually it’s babies that get this.”
Meningitis caused by group B streptococci bacteria occurs most often in newborns, who can become infected during or after birth.
Steele left school on Jan. 9 with an ear infection. After complaining about severe headaches over the weekend, he was taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center the morning of Jan. 12 where doctors diagnosed him with bacterial meningitis. He died the next day.
Steele was a middle distance runner on the Bulldogs’ track and field team in eighth grade year. He played cornerback on the school’s football team this past season, leading the Bulldogs in interceptions with four and had 27 tackles.
He had begun working out at Terrebonne High School in preparation for spring football practices.
Even though football was his passion, Steele always put academics before sports.
“He never was the type of kid to roam the streets. When he came home from school, he would do his homework, then get on the computer or play video games,” Sneeze said. “His dream was to go to college first and second to play college football. Then, he would try to make it to the NFL, and if he didn’t make it, he would go to law school.”
Steele was also active in his community and church. He was a referee for Terrebonne Parish Recreation Department football and basketball games for three years. He was a junior deacon and a member of the junior choir at First Baptist Church in Schriever.
The news of Steele’s sudden death has shaken the students and faculty at Houma Junior High.
“That first day we found out, it was more shock, and as the days went on it went to sadness and somber,” said Bulldogs head football coach Stuart Vitter. “He was so personable. He had friends from all walks of life.”
Grief counselors have been at the school helping the students deal with their feelings over Steele’s death.
“The kids have helped each other so much,” said Houma Junior High Principal Tom Soudelier. “We have posters with 8-by-10-inch photos of Geavonta hanging around the campus, and students have written their finals messages to him. He was extremely well liked by everyone.”
Many of the school’s faculty and students attended Steele’s funeral service on Thursday at First Baptist Church. His influence on Bulldogs athletics continues to be felt.
“That first basketball game after he passed, when we broke the huddle, instead of saying ‘Team!’ we broke the huddle with ‘G!'” Vitter recalled.
Steele’s family received his blue number 17 Bulldogs jersey from Vitter and a football signed by the entire Tigers’ team.
They were small tokens of how much of an impression Geavonta Steele had made on others. His family and friends understood his ability to connect with people all too well.
“I miss his smile. I miss us just sitting around talking and joking,” Sneeze said. “It’s been hard, but we’re taking it one day at a time. You’re used to seeing him, and now he’s not there.”
