“You have to believe … You can do it if you try,” Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown told the Hamilton County High School Trojan football teams. As the guest speaker at the Football Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 5, Brown encouraged the boys to work hard, get good grades and do what is right.

Brown thanked his father and mother, James and Essie Brown, for “always being there for me.” He began playing flag football when he was four or five years old and wanted to be an NFL player. His father told him if he wanted to play football he would have to work at it. James Brown would have Alex and his brothers run around the house for exercise, while their mother would leave the door open so they could run in and get a drink. “Dad would also wonder why it took us so long to get around the house,” Brown laughed.

“Get your grades right. Your athletic ability will get you on the team, your grades will keep you there,” Brown said. “Your schoolwork can’t be taken from you, but you could blow out an ankle or knee.”

Several times, Essie Brown “benched” her son because he did not make good grades.

“Mom said turn in your uniform and she wouldn’t budge,” said Brown. “I believe that is why I am standing here now.”

Brown encouraged the boys to avoid bad people. “Where will they be in five years – in jail or dead? You know right and wrong. Don’t do wrong; don’t get in trouble. You will get caught.”

“I make mistakes; I’m not perfect but I try my best,” he added. “I don’t want to embarrass my family or my hometown. There’s not much bad to say about me and I want to keep it that way.”

Brown’s first year in the NFL was hard. He would call his wife, Karimar, crying because he could not beat anybody. “I don’t think football is for me,” he told her – the first time he had ever said that. She told him to remember the confidence he had in college. He kept trying and finally beat somebody. He knew then he had won more than half the battle.

“Playing for the NFL is fun, but it’s hard,” Brown said. “It’s all business, all about money. It’s work; I have to feed my wife and son.”

Following Brown’s talk, Coach LaRue Lieupo read a poem written by senior player Claridy for Coach Green. Senior player Eddie Battles also read a poem for Coach Green.

The football coaches introduced the Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity Trojan teams and presented their awards. See Page 1B for a list of award winners.

Barbara Daniels, Cheerleader sponsor, presented awards to the cheerleaders. See a future issue of The Jasper News for a list of award winners.

Randy McCoy presented plaques of appreciation to Sylvia Cone, President of the Booster Club, Barbara Daniels and each coach.