By: Kordell Stoudemire, 2024 Cohort
As the United States enters its 70th anniversary since Brown v. Board of Education was decided by the Supreme Court in 1954, there have been several exceptional cases of citizens who are now trying to help the next generation. Some notable examples include Le’Ron McLain and Christion Jones, who are part of the coaching staff at Central High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
McLain was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before moving to and attending school in Tuscaloosa. He attended Tuscaloosa County High School, home of the Wildcats, and left with a collegiate offer at the University of Alabama. He gained much notoriety, and he was one of biggest names at fullback entering the 2007 NFL Draft.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and spent eight seasons in the league, playing for two other teams. His accomplishments include being a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one time first team All Pro. His tenure in the NFL ended in 2013-14 season, playing his last game with the San Diego Chargers.
“Back when I was a kid, my father died, so I didn’t really have anyone looking out for me,” McLain said. “That’s why I became a coach, so that my players could be successful and that they have someone looking out for them.”
Photo by Kordell Stoudemire
After his playing career ended, he decided to help his community by becoming an offensive coach at Central High School, close by to where he spent his college career. He is now entering his second year being a part of the coaching staff, working to help young men who have experience similar life events as him.
Jones was born in Adamsville, Alabama, and attended Minor High School, home of the Tenacious Tigers in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated in the Class of 2011 and received a Division I offer to attend the University of Alabama, where he committed.
He had an impressive college football resume with accolades such as a two-time Bowl Championship Series (BCS) champion (2012-13), First team All-SEC (2013) and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (2013).
After a triumphant four years at Alabama, he played in various pro football leagues worldwide, including the NFL. He spent one season in the NFL, being signed to the Miami Dolphins for the 2015-16 regular season. He then spent the following four years playing in the Canadian Football League for teams such as the Toronto Argonauts, Saskatchewan Rough Riders and Edmonton Eskimos.
When his final season in CFL ended in 2020, Jones, like McLain, moved back to his college town to help the youth in this community – Jones now works as a teacher and track coach at Central High School.
His inspiration for coaching developed in him since his playing at the University of Alabama. With the teachings of head coach Nick Saban, he learned many life skills.
“Don’t procrastinate. Attack on things that they want to achieve and change their situations,” Jones said. “My phrase is, ‘You’re not a product of your environment, you’re a part of the decisions that you make in your environment.’ That is something I have instilled into my kids and my students at school.”
Photo by Kordell Stoudemire
These coaches are just two examples of coaches and teachers across the country who are building and supporting the pathway for the next generation to take their big leap in the world.
McLain brings his experiences on the field and helps his team become better players and people, while Jones offers his mentorship through sports, being involved in the classroom and helping students whether they’re engaged in sports.
Today, they continue to join and form encouraging relationships with their athletes. They are an exceptional team of coaches, and they fuel the desire of the passionate game of football to these young students.
“Football has taught me how to be a mentor, how to be a coach. Being like these guys big brother or uncle, in terms of not having that in their households, it taught me patience. It taught me to analyze and understand the off the field or the out of the classroom situations of a kid’s life,” Jones said.
They are fulfilling the desire wanted by protestors and activists during the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. They are filling the need of helping young Black youth receive equal education and opportunities to their white counterparts. This Movement continues to have an enormous impact in the United States, helping break down a long-lasting ideology of segregation.