Eric Sorenson
Arthur Leslee confidently walks into the Maryvale High football meeting room, flashing an almost aw shucks grin as he introduces himself before sitting across from me.
For other teenagers who may have walked in the senior cornerbacks’ shoes, that smile would only be a dream – a dream of a different childhood, under different circumstances, with a different life road map to the present.
Instead of running from the crossroads of fear and uncertainty, Leslee has embraced them, with an unwavering selfless conviction that has reset and stabilized his path away from the game, while also helped galvanize a football program which has already reached new heights just halfway through the season.
Humble Beginnings
In the over-sensationalized, highly public modern day fishbowl teenagers are forced to swim in, adult male role models are vital, maybe more than ever, as peer pressure can come from any direction, both in-person and through social media.
For the past decade, nearly all of Leslee’s conversations with his dad have been by phone.
“My pops went to prison when I was in like first grade, I remember that night quite vividly,” he said nodding his head in reflection. “Me and my mom will talk about it sometimes.
“I’ll ask her questions about it just to see if it’s my imagination, or if it was really that night as I remembered.”
Growing up, not being able to establish that in-person father-son bond has, at times, become a mental tug of war.
“It’s different because he was my role model,” he continued. “I don’t have any big brothers or anyone in the household. I didn’t have anyone to look up to, just my grandpa. That’s it.”
To this day, Leslee isn’t sure why his dad is incarcerated. He isn’t interested in doing the fact-checking himself, either. It’s a conversation he said they will have when his dad is released.
Through the emotional pain and uncertainty, and the two being in different states (his dad is imprisoned in northern California), a father and his son have forged the best relationship they can, considering the circumstances.
“He’s been one of my biggest allies, he and my grandpa, for sure,” Leslee noted. “We’re all Arthur’s. I’m the third.”
Four in Four
High school football transfers have become commonplace here in Arizona but Leslee’s prep career has certainly taken a road less traveled.
“I started out at Apollo [freshman year], then I went to Alhambra as a sophomore and then I came here to Maryvale,” he said. “The beginning of my junior year, I didn’t get a hardship so I decided to move to [Stockton] California in early October.”
What Leslee hoped would be a fresh start, turned out to be more uncertainty on, and off, the field.
“I moved by myself to my dad’s side of the family, I got out there mid-season, in October,” he said shaking his head. “But I couldn’t get cleared. I didn’t get cleared until the final two games, but I didn’t play.”
The mental struggles only enhanced being away from the people and city he grew up with.
“It was really draining, I couldn’t do anything,” Leslee said. “I was lost a little bit…just being away from my mom and little brother. Everyone was out here. I was the only one out there. It was really hard.”
Even in California, Maryvale remained a steady presence through the rough waters of uncertainty for a young student-athlete trying to navigate the seemingly endless hurdles.
Happy birthday cuzzo🩸💚 https://t.co/bqmSHeXSaC
— Arthur Leslie (@Artlesli3) September 7, 2026
Leslee kept in close contact with his cousin, Panthers’ sophomore linebacker/defensive end Ricki Guilford, as well as co-head coaches, Marcus and Mark Carter, who served as bridge mentors.
Most of their heart-to-hearts had nothing to do with football.
“It was all about making sure he was okay, we’re pro-kids,” said Marcus Carter. “Once we’re invested, we’re always going to be invested.
“The advice I [gave] him on a daily basis [was] know who you are and be who you are. Be where your feet are. For him, the journey has been very unknown.”
Mark Carter’s messages held similar, big picture, alignments.
“Just lead by example. Be a good human being – know who you are, be who you are. Stay grounded.”
The Power of Perseverience
As the old saying goes, “You’re never too old to come home.”
For Leslee, the west Valley served as his most important reset, both in life and in football, and is home to his foundational rock, the one who has helped him navigate every hardship, every setback, every unexpected, sometimes devastating, twist the 17-year-old has had to absorb.
“My mom,” Leslee said quietly. “[She] has been one of my biggest influences. My mom raised me and my brother and finished college. Seeing that didn’t give me any excuses.
“Her raising two boys and going to college made me feel like nothing can get in the way of school with me.”
For now the heavy storms seemed to have passed. On the field and, more importantly, in the classroom at Maryvale, the senior is thriving. A solid, dedicated student, Leslee hopes to play college football, but his long-term goals don’t stop between the white lines.
“Even if I don’t play at the next level, I want to [go to college] and get a career,” he said. “I would like to be a firefighter or go to trade school.
“My uncle was a firefighter. He used to take me to the station and show me around. Ever since then, I’ve been fascinated by it.”
The Carter’s have seen his growth, from trudging through the mud of life, to being a pillar of leadership and success for a program littered with young players (MHS started the season with 11 starters who had never taken a varsity snap).
“He had to grow up fast, considering everything he went through,” Mark Carter explained. “That spirit about him and him being so even-keeled, that settles a lot of people down. That maturity factor for our young team is paramount.”
“The Running Back Room Was Full”
Growing up, football wasn’t even Leslee’s sport of choice.
“I was a basketball player,” he said flashing a big smile. “I played in elementary school and then in middle school I was playing in AAU tournaments and all of that.
“I was a big hooper (laughing).”
Early in his freshman year at Apollo, he decided to give football a try. He was first introduced to the game by then Hawks’ senior All-State running back, Adam Mohammed. Whatever the current Cal Golden Bear said at the time seemed to click. Leslee’s basketball skill-set transferred well to the gridiron. He played outside linebacker and running back at Apollo, then added kick return duties to his resume at Alhambra.
While he was excited to come back to the Maryvale program, the circumstances, like much of his past, weren’t perfect.
“The running back room was full,” Marcus Carter said with a wry grin. “When that room is full, you try to knock on another door. We were a little down at corner and he’s an athlete.
“He’s a football player.”
HISTORY‼️👏 https://t.co/gO6yTEkmmp
— Arthur Leslie (@Artlesli3) September 28, 2026
Leslee has been an instrumental piece in the Panthers 4-1 start, their best since 2005 entering Friday’s big home matchup against 4-1 North Canyon.
“He stuck to the script, he stuck to the program,” Mark Carter noted. “Now he’s playing at a really high level. A lot of the credit goes to him.”
Week 2 against Cholla High school blessed to be 2-0, 2-ints. #whynot https://t.co/jhsK7hBw3A pic.twitter.com/mjyti2VDG7
— Arthur Leslie (@Artlesli3) September 6, 2026
“He’s been through a lot, he could have quit,” said Marcus Carter. “But he came back. He dedicated himself. He didn’t ask for handouts. He earned his spot and now he’s flourishing.
“You know we like those stories.”
So do we.
