San Quentin’s sports leaders have overwhelmingly elected Carlyle White Otter Blake as the 2012 San Quentin Athlete of the Year.
In 2012 Blake played right field for the San Quentin A’s baseball team, running back for the San Quentin All-Madden flag football team, and led his intramural league basketball team in scoring.
“Special thanks for all the guys who voted for me as the athlete of the year and all the people I’ve played with,” said Blake. “It’s a blessing to get past the boundaries and for guys to recognize my talents.”
Blake has been involved in sports since he was very young, growing up in poverty on a reservation in Hoopa, California. He wrestled and played football for Hoopa High School. “I was raised in sports. I look up to Jim Thorpe,” a Native American professional football player who played running back, said Blake. He also played in basketball and softball tournaments outside of high school, and wrestled in cage fights at the Blue Lake casino in his hometown.
“When it comes to athletics, my skills come naturally. It’s my God-given ability,” said Blake.
He credits his grandfather, Carlson, for his motivation to play hard. “He always told me if you’re going to do something, do it 100 percent. So I took it to heart and give it my all when I’m playing,” he said.
He honors Carlson and his grandmother for supporting him throughout his life. “My mother passed away when I was very young,” he said. “My grandmother, Carmen Cane, has always been there for me. She never gave up on me. My grandparents raised me in a good structured home and I have always been really in tune with my native culture and ceremonies.”
He expressed how if he had a chance to do things over he would have stayed away from bad influences and stayed in school.
“Playing sports in prison helps me stay focused on positive things. I get to be around positive people and have positive results,” he said.
Now he considers himself a student athlete, taking classes with San Quentin’s Prison University Project. He also participates in restorative justice programs.