Michigan’s Darboh becomes US citizen and makes amazing catch

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Amara Darboh leaped, twisted his torso toward the sideline and snagged a high pass with his right hand.

And it wasn’t even the highlight of his week.

Darboh helped Michigan beat No. 22 BYU 31-0 Saturday, two days after becoming a U.S. citizen.

“It was a good week, getting my citizenship and the win,” he said.

Darboh was born into chaos in Sierra Leone, where tens of thousands of people — including his parents — died during the West African nation’s civil war from 1991 to 2002, during which fighters forced civilians to mine so-called “blood diamonds.”

His aunt, older sister and some relatives took care of him in Freetown, the country’s capital, and they later escaped the violence to live in Gambia and Senegal. When he was 7, a Christian group helped Darboh’s family relocate to Des Moines, Iowa.

Michigan’s football program recognized Darboh’s citizenship the day before it became official with a celebration that included hamburgers, cake, balloons and “USA” chants. Coach Jim Harbaugh also asked him to address the team.

“It was more than I expected,” Darboh said.

Harbaugh said Darboh got the game ball after the win.

“There were some, ‘USA’ chants in the locker room,” he said.

The senior showed flashes of promise last year before breaking out as a standout this season under Harbaugh.

He had four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Cougars, giving him team highs in catches (21), yards receiving (242) and receiving TDs (two).

Darboh said he had seen the replay of his one-handed catch, adding with a smile that he wants to see it again.

Odell Beckham Jr. will want to check it out, too.

Darboh’s remarkable grab rekindled memories of Beckham, a New York Giants receiver, making a leaping, one-handed catch for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys last season.

“It’s been a neat three days, four days,” Harbaugh said. “He’s so good because he’s a do-stuff-right guy all the time. It meant so much to him.”

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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