CFB: Family Means Everything
Nehemia Jones is a six-foot sophomore at Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, and is set to graduate in 2020. He plays linebacker and running back for the football team and is a power forward and center on the basketball team. But it's his personal story that makes the 16-year-old compelling. For most athletes his age, their main goal is to reach the NBA or NFL, but Jones explained: "My goal is just to get my mother and grandma out of Saginaw, but also be a successful young man. I know sometimes things can be handed (out), but my mom raised me to work for any and everything that I want and need."
Jones' family is his biggest inspiration, saying that his big brother, late sister, and mother are his driving force. His older brother, 20, pushes him to become better and supports him through thick and thin, Jones explained. His sister, who passed away at a young age, impacts his drive as well: "I just wanted to meet her and I wish I can tell her I'm going to accomplish all my goals," he said. "It's like I feel someone else pushing me at all times ... I feel that she's helping me." Jones admitted that he wants to try and play two sports in college, even though he knows it's extremely difficult and rare.
"I know it's very hard, but I know I can put my mind to it and achieve my goal," he said. Jones feels that he is not only gifted, but is one of a kind. "I feel that I can do anything I want to in life with hard work." He is currently six-feet tall, but is projected to reach at least six-six. Jones later revealed that his nickname is the White Peacock because of his uniqueness. He also acknowledged a pair of his biggest role models: Ray Lewis and Marshawn Lynch. Lewis was born in Florida and went on to have an incredible 17-year career for the Baltimore Ravens. Lynch currently plays for the Oakland Raiders and won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
Jones' dreams schools are Oregon, Maryland, and Central Michigan. Those three schools combined to win 19 games last year, including impressive wins over Arizona, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Texas, and Utah. Oregon was in the national championship game just four years ago. Jones, the White Peacock, continues to play because it's his passion, but most importantly it's because he wants to become successful for his family. He has perseverance that is rarely matched by others, and he continues to work his hardest every single day to make the people around him proud.
Photo Credit: MLive.
