Referring to Lamero Ceaser as a student-athlete might be accurate, but it kind of undersells him.
The Waukegan senior is a captain on the football team, is a standout wrestler, has a 3.9 unweighted GPA, is class president and is co-president of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society.
“It’s a competition to do the best at everything,” Ceaser said. “I’m basically competing with myself. I like to push myself.”
Ceaser had no football experience until he was a freshman. But he’s in his second season as a starting offensive lineman for the Bulldogs (1-6, 0-5), who are making strides in coach Zach Carr‘s third year despite their struggles in the North Suburban Conference.
“He’s coming into his own this year,” Carr said. “We’ve moved him around a little bit on the line. He helps us out in different places. He’s kind of a hard-nosed guy who will get in there and has no problems going up against anybody. He’s a fighter.”
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Ceaser doesn’t push only himself.
“He’s a self-proclaimed player-assistant coach,” Carr said. “He asks me every day if his whistle has come in.”
Ceaser is a leader on and off the field and takes that seriously.
“In football, the hardest part of leading is relationships,” he said. “You can’t address everyone the same. You have to address some players differently. How you talk and communicate with people is important.”
Waukegan junior linebacker Fabian Gonzalez said Ceaser’s impact on the program is immeasurable.
“If I could describe Lamero in three words, it would be leader, motivator and courageous,” Gonzalez said. “Lamero is like the battery of the team. When his energy is up, which is 100% of the time, the whole team’s energy is up. He has all the essential qualities of a good leader: selfless, honest, humble, resilient and dependable.
“He not only holds his teammates accountable, but he holds himself accountable as well. Overall, he’s just a great player, a leader and most importantly a great person.”
Waukegan senior offensive tackle Jonathan Limon-Prado said Ceaser has the ability to lighten the mood too.
“He’s always energetic and has never failed to liven up the room or situation that we’re in,” Limon-Prado said. “He’s also a very hardworking guy who’s always going above and beyond.”
Waukegan junior running back Chey’Marion Tiller said Ceaser keeps the team’s morale high.
“If the team is down, you can count on him to bring us up,” Tiller said. “Lamero is a great role model.”
Ceaser sets an example in the classroom too.
“Grades are important to me,” he said. “I’ve looked at grades as a challenge. If I’m not getting an A, then I’m not trying. I’ve always strived for an A. It’s not hard for me. I just have to apply myself and try my best.”
Ceaser takes that approach in everything he does, even when the losses pile up.
“Football has taught me how to be adaptable because anything can change at any moment, and throughout the disappointments, life still goes on, and it’s your attitude that really matters,” he said. “I could throw a pity party, or I could see what I can do better to grow, to improve my part and to help to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
