T
ROMEO
THERE IS NO QUESTION about the most
popular issue Extol has ever published. A year and
a half later, we still get requests for the January 2017
Extol Sports edition featuring Romeo Langford. In
fact, we recently shipped a couple dozen copies
to a middle school coach based in Kentucky (his
players love Romeo) and even dropped off a solo
one to a local who asked for more but we could
only part with one because we have so few in
our reserves.
Yes, the New Albany graduate is revered for
his prowess on the basketball court, but he’s also
beloved for how he treats his fans and the way
he conducts himself with humility. “He doesn’t
seek the spotlight – it seeks him,” Romeo’s high
school coach Jim Shannon has told the media
more than once.
When the 18-year-old and his family held
a public event to announce his long-awaited
decision to commit to Indiana University, more
than 2,500 fans and 85 credentialed members of
the media packed the New Albany High School
gymnasium.
“I was really surprised,” admitted Romeo’s
father Tim Langford. “It wasn’t our intent to draw
so many people. We just wanted to give back to
the fans and let them be a part of the decision.”
Now that it’s been made and his son will
soon head to Bloomington, “We’re ready,” Tim
continued. “We’ve been looking forward to it
(and are) excited. It’s the next chapter.”
Romeo Langford with his father Tim Langford.
86 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2018
Before he turns the next page and begins his
collegiate career, Romeo sat down with us for
a quick Q&A at The Pepin Mansion, where he
also took the time to pose for photos with two
young fans.
This issue of Extol is dedicated, in part, to kids.
What advice do you have for the young fans who
look up to you?
Follow your dreams. Work hard at what you
want to do because there’s someone out there who
wants to do what you want to (accomplish), too.
What will study at Indiana University?
Not sure. I’ll do general (studies) until I figure
out what to do.
What was your favorite high school class?
Math, especially algebra.
What was your least favorite class?
Government.
How do you spend your rare moments
of downtime?
Playing video games.
What’s your favorite music to listen to?
I listen to all types but my favorite is Michael.
Michael Jackson? Can you dance like him?
(Laughs.) Nah.
Not even a little bit? No moonwalk?
(Laughs and shakes head.) Nah, I can’t do that.
What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?
“Another Part of Me.”
When is the last time you picked up
the trumpet? (Note: Romeo’s Dad used to
play the instrument too.)
I played at my church for the (2017)
Christmas Day service.
Aside from your parents, who have been
the biggest mentors to you?
(Family friend) Jonathan Jeanty, (trainer)
Coach Deion Lee, (off-court trainer) Brian Fig
and (trainer) Parrish Bryant.
Will you and your father continue your daily
morning routine of talking on the phone
before school?
(Chuckles.) Probably won’t call him at 6:50 in
the morning (any more) … but I will call him.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In the NBA.