And perhaps this is why they kneel, too … Jamal Speaks plays football for Ballou High School until he was removed for residency issues.
Yes, Jamal Speaks is currently homeless; his father is deceased, and his mother is no longer present in his life. And he is fighting to stay on the team after Principal Willie Jackson blocked him from playing during a game because he’s homeless and cannot prove residency.
Speaks was set to participate in a game between Ballou and Anacostia High School, but Jackson stopped him from playing and even threatened to the team’s coach Minoso Rodgers if he allowed the teen to play. His teammates stalled the game by 45 minutes and petitioned the principal’s decision but Speaks was unfortunately benched.
Even worse? Football recruiters from Temple University were at that game to watch Speaks play, but the student was forbidden to do so.
Jackson claimed he prevented Speaks from playing because the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association [DCIAA] ruled Speaks ineligible in August.
“I worked so hard on and off the field. Have a good GPA, work in the classroom and outside of school. … I’m homeless, so me just trying to stay in the area to get back and forth from school, it’s already tough.”—Jamal Speaks
District of Columbia Public Schools officials said they’re working with the District of Columbia State Athletic Association to resolve the incident. In the meantime, a fine athlete, and a good student, may miss the opportunity to go to college because he’s homeless.
Ain’t that America?
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