REGINA, Sask. — Anthony Lanier II received a key to the city for performing one good turn after another.
The presentation took place on Nov. 21, 2020 in Savannah, Ga., where he was born, raised and influenced by his late grandfather, Elijah Powell Sr.
“He was a Korean War vet,” said Lanier II, a former Alabama A&M Bulldog and fourth-year member of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. “I’m very proud of him.
“When he was alive, I always walked in his footsteps. He is very much a man who made the product that you see today. I tried to be as much like him as possible.”
Powell Sr. was 91 when he died April 8, 2021, barely a month after Lanier II signed his first contract with the Roughriders.
The many tributes to Powell Sr. included commendation for his efforts on behalf of Operation Clean Sweep — an initiative in which young people, aged 12 to 16, cut lawns and cleaned up debris in Savannah.
Lanier II says his grandfather and his associates “raised us to take care of our community,” and the message was clearly absorbed.
Inspired by those words, he created the Anthony M. Lanier II Foundation Inc. to support community-based organizations and promote education, good health, and the development of character, social skills and values that empower young people in Savannah to recognize and reach their full potential.
Lanier II served as a glowing example for all by making it to the NFL and using that platform, along with the influence it provides, to benefit and inspire others.
Hence the proclamation of Anthony Lanier II Day in Savannah (population: 150,000) and the awarding of a key to the city. The honour was bestowed upon Lanier II after he had spearheaded a food drive.
The community-mindedness has also been evident since Lanier II joined the Roughriders.
“A lot of the work that we’ve done so far has been great, but we’re not done yet,” he said. “There’s a lot more work I want to put into the community, because I want everybody to be proud to wear their green.
“We do have a wonderful organization and a wonderful community and we want to see the growth in the community from the youth.
“I remember going into youth programs and seeing kids who, when I first got up here, cried every step of the way through football drills, and now they’re at the top of their class going into their drills.
“It has been a blessing, the whole way through. I love it.”
Rob Vanstone is Saskatchewan’s senior journalist & Rider historian. For the full story, click here.
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