Jameel McClain facts for kids
McClain practicing at M&T Bank Stadium in 2011
|
|||||||||||||
| Baltimore Ravens | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Director of player engagement | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | July 25, 1985 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | George Washington (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Syracuse | ||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2008 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Jameel Lashawn McClain (born July 25, 1985) is a former American football player. He played as a linebacker in the NFL. Today, he works for the Baltimore Ravens as their Director of Player Engagement. Jameel played college football at Syracuse University. He then joined the Ravens in 2008 as an undrafted player. He also played for the New York Giants.
Contents
Jameel McClain's Early Life
Jameel McClain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up with his mother, Barbara Flood, and five siblings. For some time, Jameel and his family stayed at the Salvation Army shelter in Philadelphia. When he was 14, his aunt and uncle took him and his siblings in. This helped them get a better education and a brighter future.
Before playing football, Jameel was a boxer. He trained at the city gym and took part in Gold Glove boxing competitions. He went to George Washington High School in Philadelphia. There, he became a star football player. During his high school career, he made 230 tackles and 22 sacks. He was also the captain of his football team in his senior year.
College Football Career
Jameel McClain played college football at Syracuse University. He played as a defensive end. While studying, he earned two degrees: one in communications and another in sociology.
During his time at Syracuse, he made 177 tackles. He also had 11 sacks and one interception. He was ranked among the top players in Syracuse's history for tackles. Jameel was also recognized for his good grades. He was on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll several times.
Professional Football Journey
Playing for the Baltimore Ravens
In 2008, Jameel McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He was an undrafted free agent, meaning no team picked him in the NFL draft. He was the only rookie free agent to make the Ravens' main roster that year. In his first season, he played on special teams and as a backup. He made 16 tackles and blocked a punt. He also set a team record with two safeties in one season.
In 2009, McClain started his first NFL game. He continued to play well, making 30 tackles that season. In 2010, he started all 16 games and finished with 71 tackles. The 2011 season was his best yet, with a career-high 84 tackles.
In 2012, McClain continued to be a strong part of the Ravens' defense. He made 79 tackles. That year, he helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl XLVII championship! However, during a game in December, he suffered a serious spinal cord injury. Some doctors told him he might never play football again.
But Jameel worked hard to recover. After 10 months of rehabilitation, he returned to play in 2013. He started again for the Ravens. He played 13 games and made 52 tackles. On February 27, 2014, the Ravens released him.
Time with the New York Giants
On March 13, 2014, McClain signed with the New York Giants. In his first season with the Giants, he played in all 16 games. He started 14 of those games. He led the Giants with a career-high 117 tackles. He also had 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble. On September 5, 2015, he was released by the Giants.
Jameel McClain's Community Work
.jpg)
Jameel McClain has done a lot of good work off the field. Growing up, he and his family sometimes relied on the Salvation Army for food and shelter. These experiences inspired him to help others.
After joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, he built a strong relationship with the Salvation Army. He became their spokesperson and spoke at their annual Red Kettle Campaign. In 2009, Jameel and some of his teammates helped give gifts to families in need. He also worked with the United Way to help renovate community centers.
Jameel started a Thanksgiving event called the "53 Families Dinner." This event provides a warm Thanksgiving meal to people in need at the Salvation Army. This dinner still happens every Thanksgiving with the help of Jameel and other Ravens players. He also helped organize the "Jameel McClain Coat Drive." This drive gives new, warm winter coats to about 300 children in the Baltimore area.
Jameel has been honored for his efforts. The NAACP recognized him for his work with young people and those in need. In 2013, he received the Ed Block Courage Award. This award honors NFL players who show courage and do great charitable work.
On July 2, 2016, Jameel McClain married Keisha Nichole Sullivan in Baltimore, Maryland.
