Trinity Christian Academy graduate Jabriel Washington, who was part of three NCAA Football National Championships at the University of Alabama, joins Mark Campbell, Jewuan Long, Meg Griffin Nethery and Preston Overbey as inductees when the 35th annual Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame is held April 22.
The 2020-21 event will be held at 6:30 p.m., at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
WNWS.COM – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & 93.1 FM – visited with Jabriel Washington for a question and answer session about his career and selection into the hall of fame.
Editor’s Note – Jabriel Washington will not be able to attend the induction ceremony. He works as a scouting assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, and is preparing for the NFL Draft.
Question: What were your thoughts when you were told you had been selected for induction into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame?
Answer: I was shocked and excited, it kind of came out of nowhere. I was happy to be able to reflect on all the time and effort spent trying to be my very own best and be remembered for positive ideas and efforts.
Question: At Trinity Christian Academy, you participated in three sports – football, basketball and baseball. When did you decide you would concentrate your efforts on football?
Answer: I played baseball my junior year. I decided to concentrate on my football craft my final year of high school. I did it because I wanted to continue to be healthy for what the future held for me in the sport of football. I have some regret sitting out basketball my senior year because I was only – I believe – 36 points short of scoring 1,000 points in high school.
Question: You were heavily recruited by colleges and chose to play at the University of Alabama. How did you decide on Alabama?
Answer: I decided to attend the University of Alabama because first, I believed I was an elite athlete. I wanted to compete with the best and associate myself with the best.
Second, I knew Nick Saban’s track record of getting defensive backs in the NFL was a lot higher than anywhere else – and that was the goal.
Lastly, the University of Alabama was close to home, about three-and-a-half hours away – and it felt like home. My family could easily attend games and I could drive home in a reasonable fashion if need be, plus; I knew I was not leaving SEC country.
Question: At Alabama, you were part of three national championships. What was the experience like?
Answer: That experience has shaped: who I am today, how I think today and how I want to be in the future. Coming from 2A (high school) football to what some would consider an NFL team, took some getting used to.
No longer was I that standout No. 1 QB with purple and black (TCA’s colors) on. I had to put in work and learn from those around me of what it takes to be a part of something great.
“Change the way they think” was a phrase that was often used before every game. Simply, change the way our opponents thought, they think they can win and all we have to do is change the way they think. I learned that even in life, you must “change the way people think” too, through your actions and commitment and at the University of Alabama it is no different.
Question: You were working in the football program at the University of Washington in Seattle, but now you are living in Philadelphia and working for the Eagles of the National Football League. What is the biggest difference you have noticed from the college game to the pro game?
Answer: Well, it is night and day different in my opinion. In college you are molding an unfinished product, the players are not as developed than at the Pro level, though they may look it. There is a lot of growth in the ages 17-to-23 during college and there is always excitement when there is winning going on on-campus.
I believe rankings and cross conference matchups are the best parts of college football that you do not get in the NFL. In the NFL, it is a true business and players are invested in heavily, much more than a scholarship.
Also, special teams are very much so different in the NFL from rules, to alignments and talent on a consistent bases – kickers, punters, long snappers and core special teams players.
Question: When you are inducted into the hall of fame, what will be the focal point of your speech?
Answer: I believe the focal point will be about being a true competitor.
A table for eight for the event is $500. For reservations, call Beth Sedberry (731) 616-8558.
(PHOTO: Jabriel Washington)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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