Jim Thorpe. Marion Motley. Todd Blackledge. Phil Hubbard. Alan Page. Dan Dierdorf. Thurman Munson. Chris Spielman. Those are the names of sporting legends that hail from Stark County, Ohio. Yet the greatest of all is one that is now capable of global stardom, Carlin Isles.
Like Thorpe, Isles is a pure athlete that only comes around once in a lifetime. Thorpe was good at every sport he tried, whether it be track and field, baseball, basketball, or football. Isles was much of the same, setting records in track and field at Jackson High School and earning All-American honors in the 60-meter dash at Ashland University. He doubled as a football star at Ashland, earning All-GLIAC honors and school records for most kickoff return yardage in a game and the longest kickoff return for a touchdown. Isles was so good at football that he even spent time with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
Today the Massillon, Ohio native is among the world’s elite in track and field and rugby. He’s easily the best rugby player that the U.S. has ever produced and at the same time, one of the fastest athletes in the world. Yes, he is both an Olympian and a rugby celebrity, one that has earned the prestigious title of “the fastest man in rugby.”
The journey to rugby success started in an unlikely place, the birthplace of American football.
“Jackson gave me a good foundation. It kept me grounded. It was a nice school, a tough school. The standard was to have good grades as an athlete. Student first and athlete second transferred to college. Jackson really gave me a good foundation to go to the next level.”
That next level included time at Ashland University, currently a DII program in Ashland, Ohio.
“Ashland was similar to Jackson, but then I discovered really what I wanted to do. I was going to pursue that. Each level, each stage of high school and college, shaped me and molded me. The discovery for myself and who I am and what I wanted to do with my life came from each one of those steps. When I became a professional athlete it all came together.”
Ashland University head track & field coach Jud Logan spoke highly of Isles’ time with the Eagles.
“Carlin was recruited as a dual sport athlete. In his short time with the track team, his speed was evident, especially in the 60-meter dash. Carlin had a dynamic start. We knew when he left that he would excel in some avenue of athletics where his quickness and flat out speed would be utilized. His greatest strength was his faith in his ability to be great.”
Lee Owens, head football coach for Ashland University, also recalled Isles’ contributions with great fondness.
“He was really good at kickoff returns, played some tailback, and actually played cover corner for us. Because of his speed, he was able to cover the fastest receivers that we’d play against. Because of his speed, he was able to run the ball outside well out of the tailback position. Of course kickoff returns are all about speed and he was one of the best we have ever coached here.”
Owens was quick to out that Isles’ success was about more than just speed. He was not surprised with Isles’ success in rugby.
“He was fast no question, the fastest player I have ever coached. But he was really tough. He wasn’t afraid of contact. He was athletic. The sport really suited his skill set. He was always dedicated, committed. He would workout all the time. He took care of himself and his body. I think the sport was really perfect for him. I am glad that he had that kind of success. I’m happy for him.”
Isles has obviously made the best of his situation, making a name for himself in the process.
“It’s been good,” Isles commented. “A lot has came from it, a lot of good opportunities for me to travel the world and play a sport that I love and show and express my ability.”
Isles has made the most of those opportunities. Playing overseas was exciting, something that he would always remember.
“Playing overseas was great. It was a culture shock. It was a lot different. But I can adapt. They grew up playing rugby. You can see the culture of it, the love that they have for it, the skill set. It was great to see.”
Isles’ success all over the globe has helped grow the game here back in the States. It certainly helps to have an American player in the headlines.
“I have seen a lot of growth, especially from when I started to now. A lot of people are playing it, even crossover athletes. A lot of people at schools are picking it up. The development has grown. A lot of younger kids are playing it. There are a lot more clubs and a lot more colleges that are installing it into their program as well. It’s growing rapidly.”
Rugby has actually become quite popular in Stark County and Northeast Ohio.
“I went to a tournament back home. I didn’t realize how many kids actually play it back in Ohio. As it keeps going, I think it can get even bigger in Ohio. Right now it has a nice following.”
And that growth has been spurred by national TV contracts and support from big networks like NBC and ESPN.
“Now that rugby is on TV, people take notice because it’s different. And people are like ‘this is better than football.’ The more it is publicized and shown on national TV, I think it will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Isles’ biggest accomplishment is representing his country on a global scale.
“It’s a blessing. Not a lot of people get to represent their country. For me I take pride in it. Whenever I take the field or when I was at the Olympics it was a special moment. A lot of people dream of that but not a lot of people get the opportunity to do that. For me it is something I am proud of and I take serious. Every time I go out there and represent my country I want to be the best I can.”
Even though few people have the achievements of Carlin Isles, he still wants more.
“I want to continue to be the best I can be. Now I am at a stage when I have a lot of little goals. But I tell myself to be the best I can be every single day. When I worry about being the best that I can be in the process, the outcome will take care of itself on its own.”
His goals are simple and to the point.
“Of course I want to go to another Olympics or two. I also want to compete at the Olympics in track and rugby. That’s another goal. I want to keep turning heads, keep inspiring people. I just want to be the best rugby player in the world.”
You might think being the best rugby player in the world is a lofty goal, but Isles is on the cusp of making that goal a reality. Or he might even be there already.
It’s amazing to think that a player once known for track and field and American football would be a rugby superstar, but that is actually what has happened. A conversation with Miles Craigwell, another crossover athlete that spent time in the NFL, got things going for Isles’ rugby career.
“It was a starting point. I asked him about rugby since he played football. He was a crossover. He told me all about it and how it would be a great fit for me. I took it on from there.”
And the rest is history.
The NFL connection is a big storyline that shouldn’t be overlooked. Isles has done what others can only dream of. He made it to the NFL, the Olympics, and to the biggest stage in professional and international rugby.
Playing with the Detroit Lions was obviously special.
“I met great people, actually guys that I still keep in touch with. For me it was a stepping stone. I always wanted to be in the NFL. But in my heart I wanted to go to the Olympics. Getting the opportunity, even though it was a great opportunity, showed me what I really wanted, to go to the Olympics. And I actually accomplished both, got to the NFL and the Olympics.”
Carlin Isles has made Stark County proud by achieving his dreams and inspiring countless American athletes along the way. His journey and his story is nothing short of remarkable. We’re quite certain that even Jim Thorpe would be proud of what Isles has accomplished. He’s that good.
