Leaving His Mark

Carson Steele Named 2020 Indiana Mr. Football

Photographer / Lindy Scott & Provided

Center Grove High School senior running back Carson Steele punctuated his illustrious four-year career with the most elite titles in the state – Indiana’s 2020 Mr. Football, and Class 6A football state champion. The mark he has left on Center Grove football is a deep one, and he is the most decorated player in Center Grove’s 65 years of football.

“I don’t know if there’s any player since I’ve been here that has stepped on the field as a freshman and has dominated like he has statistically,” says Center Grove Coach Eric Moore. “He’s been a highly decorated kid. He’s done it humbly. His leadership is by action on the field – leadership by example. I can remember him as a sophomore sitting in the locker room at halftime. I’m looking at him and his fingers are bleeding, elbows cut, knees scraped up and he’s smiling because he gets to play high school football. I would like to play with a kid like that. I think his legacy will be toughness, and the ability to make a play when everyone knows he’s getting the ball and he still gets the necessary yards.”

Moore says Steele is the epitome of Center Grove football.

“You couldn’t plug in a better guy for the role to play for what we do,” he says. “We protect our defense with great offense and a great running game. Carson Steele, for the last four years, has been that great running game. He’s helped our other running backs get better and quarterbacks get better, making the game easier for them. He makes the game easier for the defense.”

The 2020 Mr. Football will always be Carson Steele. However, Steele says it’s an award he shares with his offensive linemen.

“Without them I couldn’t have done this out on the field,” he says. “They do the dirty work and they don’t get interviewed about it after the game. I give them love on Saturdays with doughnuts. Coach Moore sneaks a doughnut or two. They’re the real reason I had so much success on the field – love those dudes.”

Steele also credits his head coach and position coach for making him a better football player.

“Coach Moore has been with me since I was very young,” he says. “He has influenced my life. I am very thankful for all the hours he has put in, not just for me but the whole community, and I’m very thankful for that. Coach (Brad) Timmons made things a lot easier for me coming into high school. I knew a lot of things about football, but he opened me up to stuff I had never seen before and he always made the game fun. I’m very thankful for him.”

Steele was not only a stellar football player under the Friday night lights, but was also a role model for the youngsters who idolized him so much.

“After games, he’s signing autographs and taking pictures with all the kids,” Moore says. “He has a huge connection with kids and is passing the torch. He’s probably one of the greatest sportsmen I’ve ever coached.”

Steele embodies what’s great about high school football in Indiana. A fierce competitor on the field and a gentle giant off the field, he’s been a great ambassador for Center Grove football, and now he will be just that at the state level as Indiana’s Mr. Football.

“The people of the Center Grove community have blessed me and my family so much, and I’m not even talking about football,” Steele says. “I’m so thankful for everything and everyone. They are truly the ones that make Center Grove football. I will remember Center Grove football forever.”

“It’s a true Indiana legend story,” Moore says. “You walk off the field for the final time of your high school career as a state champion. The best player on the best team should be Mr. Football. The award couldn’t have gone to a better person than Carson Steele of Center Grove. The state got it right.”