Sept. 11, 2005

by Meghan Reynolds, Illinois Sports Information

Flipping through the Illini football media guide in the squad room at Memorial Stadium, I quickly review last year's statistics to prep for my next interview. Kendrick Jones had 47 receptions for 687 yards. The Fighting Illini's leading receiver surpassed the 100-yard mark in two games and scored five touchdowns. He's been named an honorable mention Preseason All-American by Street & Smith.

Kendrick Jones missed the second half of the San Jose State game, but Coach Ron Zook said he could have played. Jones has plantar fascitis--a painful heel--and the training staff felt the rest would help it to heal.

Glancing at his bio, it's easy to see he's on the brink of a successful career. But after talking to him, I realize that his accomplishments go far beyond his stats. He has overcome obstacles not tangible to most people, and uses his life as an example for others to follow. Growing up in one of the poorest cities in America did not deter the senior off course from his goal of playing Division I football.

"Growing up in East St. Louis, you see people stabbed and shot," Jones said. "I've seen it all. I was fortunate because my mother and my father loved me very much. I didn't feel like I needed to be involved with gangs or anything like that. But it's still hard, because those are the people who make up that community."

The statement is shocking, but painfully true. And if the violent atmosphere weren't enough, Jones also had to endure the discouraging attitudes of his peers and teachers. Along with support from his parents, he credits his high school football coach for motivating him to pursue a career at the University of Illinois.

"Darren Sunkett came my senior year, and he brought us out to the Illinois camp," Jones said. "He recognized my talent and he really drove me. He told me that I was going to be a great player. I came back to school after going to Illinois camp, and I was telling everyone that I was going to get a scholarship to play football at Illinois. People, even teachers, were telling me that I wasn't going to make it. That got me down. But then I had my coach, who told me that I was going to be somebody special. He stuck with me. To this day, he still looks out for me."

Jones also hopes to look out for others, and has always had a strong desire to be a good role model in his community. In high school, he volunteered as a mentor for eighth-grade students, and has no doubt in his mind that he will return to his hometown.

"I'm going to find some way to give back," said Jones. "I love East St. Louis. When it's all said and done, I'm going to go back there. I see so much potential there. I've seen so many talented high school football players who didn't have their heads on straight. You look at that waste of talent, and you don't want to see it happen anymore. It's important to me to go back, and give my word to hopefully influence people to stay away from that."

Setting an example for others to follow and being a good teammate are not things that came naturally for Jones--another telling sign of his difficult childhood.

"The way I grew up, it makes you selfish," Jones said. "You have to grow out of that. It's something that I have worked on. It's also something that someone else has to tell you, because you don't notice it yourself. Where I'm from, you have a mentality of 'every man for himself.' Whatever you want, it's on you to make it happen. Nobody else is going to help you do it."

At this point, I have to pause to think about what to ask him next. I'm speechless, because I can't fathom what it's like to face anything alone. I would be angry and bitter. But Jones keeps a positive outlook on life. "I'm very optimistic," said Jones. "I always see the cup as half-full instead of half-empty. My belief in God has brought me to believe that things have happened for a reason. And I never panic. That is one thing you will never see me do. I also don't get angry. Life's too short to be angry all the time."

But he had to take up a lot of challenges on his own. He had to create his own opportunities; nothing was handed to him on a silver platter. And there were still all those people who said he would never make it at Illinois. Those things are in the past, and he tries to not let them affect him. Although, there was a time when it hurt.

"At one point it really did matter to me," Jones said. "I just wanted to rub it in their faces. But that feeling only lasted so long. I just hope and wish that those people who told me I wasn't going to make it see me now. I'm not the type of person who talks badly about other people. I just want them to look at me now and say they were wrong."

After 40 minutes of stories about a rough home life and East St. Louis, I am running out of tape and Jones still has to make it to dinner with his teammates. I thank him and start to wrap up the interview, when he says something else which really impresses me.

"A lot of people look up to me right now. I try to make them as happy as I can without making myself crazy. There's pressure involved with that, but it feels good to know that I'm out there doing it for someone besides myself. I'm doing it for the city."

The soft-spoken player exits the squad room and an odd thought occurs to me. I wonder if everyone who talks to Kendrick Jones feels this proud of him.