Will Levi’s kid brother was a star football player at Western High School in the late 1990s and seemingly destined to play in college.
Las Vegas players were lightly recruited in those days, but Levi was determined to get his brother, lineman Marcus Levi, looks at the next level. So, Will Levi got out his camcorder and started filming games from the sideline.
He shipped highlight videos off to college coaches, and Marcus Levi wound up receiving a scholarship from San Diego State.
Will Levi was so inspired by the process and result, that he made it his life’s work. Levi, who unexpectedly died Jan. 23 at age 45, had spent the past 20 years making countless videos of Las Vegas-area prep football players and publishing them online with a scouting report.
Levi was silent and reserved, and wanted no credit for his work. Often, coaches wouldn’t realize the Las Vegas native was roaming the sideline on Friday night.
“He was a person of service who loved the kids in this community,” said Keith Miller, his brother-in-law and close friend since they were in the same class at J.T. McWilliams Elementary School. “He didn’t do it for recognition. In fact, a lot of people had no idea who he was. He just wanted to help get kids that opportunity to follow their dreams and get out of Vegas.”
Levi spent nearly 20 years working as an EMT for American Medical Response, where that mentally of providing service to the community was frequently on display, his colleagues said. The company in a social media post said Levi made an impact on co-workers and the city that would last a lifetime.
“With each patient encounter we can change someone’s life forever,” the company posted. “Imagine all of the lives Will impacted, as well as how many people he granted the gift of tomorrow through his patient care and compassion.”
Levi would often go from working a long shift at American Medical Response directly to a prep football game. He rarely attended the marquee matchup of the week, reasoning there were athletes in other games that were starving for publicity.
Mike Waters, Levi’s close friend and the owner of the training center Phase 1 Sports, estimates Levi had a hand in helping at least 800 athletes find a college home. In the early 2000s, he was the only person leading an effort to coordinate with universities by sending written and video scouting reports, getting players invited to regional scouting events, and vouching for athletes to coaches.
“A lot of the times he was working behind the scenes for a kid, and they didn’t know about it,” Waters said.
When family was recently going through Levi’s belongings, they found numerous boxes of newspaper clippings and stories from the past 20 years. Every athlete has a story to tell, and Levi knew those stats could help weave a tale to help pave the way to an opportunity in college.
“He was proud, but he was humble about being proud,” said Kimberly Levi-Miller, his sister. “He wasn’t a bragger. He didn’t want anyone to know he was the guy who made (getting a scout’s attention) happen.”
But now, after his passing, those in the local prep football circles say it’s important to celebrate Levi’s contributions. After all, his life’s passion helped many Las Vegas kids — including kids from the same west Las Vegas neighborhoodhe grew up in — have a better life.
“He was one of a kind,” Waters said.
Levi’s survivors include his wife, Bridget, and children Korrina, Meia, Will III, Brinyn and Bryce. Viewing is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 11 at Heritage Mortuary, 3610 Rancho Drive, with services at noon Feb. 12 at Second Baptist Church, 500 Madison Ave.