Jhalen Brown: ‘My life is one play at a time…”

Jhalen Brown. Son. Brother. Friend. Leader. 6 feet 1 inch and 180 pounds of MTHS running power. He has caused quite a stir, beginning his 11th season on the football field this year.

“So far, he is one of the league leaders in interceptions with three,” said Hawks’ Coach Tony Umayam. “He has caused and recovered fumbles, made big catches, and took a school record [with a] 99 yard fumble return for a touchdown in the win vs. Mariner.”

Already with a school record and helping to lead the team to a superlative start, this must be asked: What makes Brown such a good football player? For some, the first thought might tell them that it is skill. Some might say genetics. But, after taking a few minutes to listen to him talk about the game of football, one would see that it is his heart. Brown’s whole soul is in this game, and for good reason.

As many star athletes could tell you, they did not have the after-school-special childhood; where your dad is an early morning TV anchor and your silly uncle lives in your basement, and you get into all kinds of damage with your annoying neighbor with the geek glasses and suspenders, but at the end of the day everybody loves Raymond and you live happily ever after. The same can be said of Brown’s childhood.

“Growing up rough, [my] parents weren’t always together and we didn’t always have money to do [anything],” Brown recalls. “I’ve been through a lot of [stuff], you know, and I’d be in the worst mood, hating life, but at the end of the day, I knew I’d get to play football. It’s my first love,” he laughs. Sorry ladies.

Brown started playing at the age of 6, after his older brother, Justin, showed an interest.

“I wanted to play because [my older brother] wanted to and my little brother wanted to play because of me. We all started young,” he said. “It’s a family thing. My dad’s always been there coaching me when I was growing up. Never wanted anything more than for me to succeed.” Brown now dreams to be a professional. “I want to go pro but right now I’m just taking it one step at a time,” he said, “focusing on making it to the next level.”

But the dream did not manifest into as big a part of Brown’s life as it is now.

“Funny story actually,” Brown smiles, remembering the day. “One summer, my mom, my dad, two brothers and I went to this camp thing, can’t remember exactly. But there was this raffle, and my chair was No. 3… No. 4 I think. They called my number. So I went up there and they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was younger and I had no idea. But, I said I’d be a professional football player. And they laughed at me,” he laughs. “And you know, that’s why I do it. I’m not the type to take no for an answer. I’ll go out and do something if someone tells me that I can’t.”

Intense.

Though his focus seems all too fierce on paper, Brown is a big team player and leader for the Hawks, on and off the field. “He has meshed with the team very well, the coaches enjoy coaching him, and he has become one of the emotional leaders on the squad,” Coach Umayam said. This emotion was witnessed by anyone who stayed after the Meadowdale game on Sept. 18.

After a disappointing loss against the Mavericks, Brown went onto the field solo, and kneeled before the scoreboard. “I had all sorts of emotions going around. I was frustrated. I was pissed. I thought about what I could have done better as a player. What I could have done better as a teammate, to bring us into a win.”

John Hernandez, fellow linebacker and friend said, “[Jhalen] brings leadership on and off the field. When we’re feeling down, he’ll give speeches in the locker room. He pretty much does what the coaches should be doing.”

Besides wanting to win, and wanting to show that he can be whatever he chooses, the main motivation for playing the game is his brother, who is out of state.

“My unusual ritual… every time, before every game, I go alone before the scoreboard and take a knee,” Brown says. “I think about my [older] brother, [19], and about how I’m going to play. Every game I play is for him.”

After hearing about the amount of passion Brown has for football, it is hard to imagine there being anything he enjoys as much. When asked about what else he is fond of, Jhalen responded, “Music. I love music.” When he transferred here in April of last school year, Jhalen could be seen walking the halls alone, headphones in, rhymes spitting out.  Passers by would say, “He’s so weird.” Some, just smiled and walked on.

To this, Brown says, “I don’t care what other people think of me. They can think I’m weird, but the reality is, I am me and I’m not going to stop doin me. I’m gonna do me wherever I go.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.