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Lions’ James Houston Tells ‘Underdog Story’ at Youth Football Camp

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Lions’ James Houston Tells ‘Underdog Story’ at Youth Football Camp

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Children ages 5 to 10 smiled as they ran sprints and completed drills during the first of two sessions for youth football players at the Jackson State practice field Sunday morning.

Former Jackson State player and current Detroit Lions defensive end James Houston IV was back where he played college football.

Houston’s message at his first football camp at his alma mater was “anything is possible with a dream, hard work and dedication.”

“My story is an underdog story, right?” » said Houston. “I feel like there are a lot of people in the world who have everything against them. But you have to persevere, see it through and achieve the end goal you want.

Houston was selected 217th overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

What made things difficult for Houston was that the Lions were featured on the HBO series “Hard Knocks” during training camp. Houston said he knew he was going to be cut because the Lions moved him to middle linebacker when he arrived at camp.

“I was the only player drafted that was cut,” Houston said. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Getting cut, spending 12 weeks on the practice squad, playing on Thanksgiving and getting two sacks.

Houston said his favorite moment in the NFL was playing on Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills. He had family and friends visiting for the game.

At the time, the Lions were 4-6 and it was Houston’s first NFL game.

Houston recovered a fumble on special teams and both sacks on Bills quarterback Josh Allen in a 28-25 victory.

He ended up with eight sacks and was behind only teammate Aidan Hutchinson, who had 9.5 sacks in 17 games. Houston had eight sacks in seven games.

DETROIT LIONS JAMES HOUSTON FREE CAMP Detroit Lions’ James Houston to host free football camp at Jackson State on Sunday

Houston said he has fully recovered from an ankle injury he suffered against the Seattle Seahawks in the second game of the 2023 season. He rehabbed and played in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

As Houston prepares for his third NFL season, he wants his message of hope to resonate with Jackson’s youth.

“I want to tell the kids to keep chasing their dreams,” Houston said. “Don’t give up and don’t let anyone give up on you. And you can still do whatever you want. »

JT Keith is the HBCU sports editor for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or contact him on Twitter @JTKEITH1.

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