After returning home from Florida, I transferred from East St. John to Destrehan High School. Summer football practice was underway, but I was late joining because I had just finished playing in the World Series for summer baseball.

The day I joined, Coach Chipper Simon asked me a simple question:
“What position do you want to play?”
“Linebacker,” I answered.
He asked again.
Still, I answered: “Linebacker.”

Then he shifted the question:
“If you had to choose between Running Back or Quarterback, which one would you play?”
Once again, I stood on it: “Linebacker.”

Coach smiled and made the decision for me:
“Put him at Free Safety. He’s just getting here. It’s the easiest position to learn in the little time we have left for summer practice.”

That’s also when I learned I wouldn’t be allowed to compete in sports my entire freshman year. I was ineligible. I could still practice, but no games.

That was tough. I didn’t know anyone. I was the new kid. But that changed quickly when I saw a familiar face: Alfred Williams (Bag). We had played against each other, him with Morgan Gym, me with the St. John RoughRiders. A familiar face was all I needed.

Then, a newspaper article dropped that shook me a bit. It was about student-athletes leaving St. John Parish to attend other schools. My name was in that article. I was surprised. I didn’t think my transfer would cause that kind of reaction, especially since other athletes like Randy Brown, Troy Gerade, and Romell Anthony had already transferred to John Curtis.

Still, everything was in order. My cousin Jeff Patterson had become my legal guardian. I couldn’t play in games, but I could prepare. I could train. I could learn.

Then came the first day of school. I’ll never forget my mother’s words:
“It’s your first day at a new school with all new people. First impression is the best impression. You don’t get a second chance to impress someone the first time.”

So I walked into Destrehan High School with confidence, wearing a clean collared shirt, khakis, and Penny loafers (yes, with the penny in the middle!).

That was the beginning of my journey…

Coming Soon: Episode 2 –
“Foundations, Faith & Football: Learning to Become a Wildcat”

Tags: #BecomingAWildcat #DestrehanFootball #FaithFamilyFootball #DM9Chronicles #HighSchoolJourney