We're just so proud of him here in Jacksonville, Florida. I am a native New Yorker who moved to Jax in '00. I was once a sports radio personality covering HS, college and pro football, even middle school and have had the opportunity to see the true side of players from the area.
Sam has a truly unique story, which I have left some out because I felt it would have been better told by him.
Part of his unique story is his father is from Ghana, Africa. His mom is American. Sam has always worked hard for everything and things were not always easy. This guy played HS football and had three jobs, including Zaxby's (which he did not even know Clay Matthews was a spokesman!); he also worked at a car wash in the unforgiven Jax heat and humidity!
Sam has taken trips to his father's native land of Ghana several times and has a true connection to the area. Sam has always wanted to start a non profit to help the children of Ghana in getting shoes and other necessities that we take for granted. Sam has believed in hard work and has never asked someone else for something he could work and get himself. Sam also takes care of his large family and his 4 year old daughter, which he should.
He has always been genuine and respectful even when he screwed up! There are very few if any people you could find that would have a bad thing to say about Sam. Our small Jax city may not be great in NFL football but we support those who have come up through the system and made good; Leon Washington, Marcus Thomas, Sam Barrington and many others just from our Jax community.
Finally, what makes Sam special outside of now being a part of the NFL fraternity, is his father owns a multi-million dollar company in Ghana. With that being the case, Sam has always been his own man and has busted his butt for his family. I know what some of you may be thinking. Well, no, the differences in culture may have been the reason for whatever the relationship WAS between he and his father. What I do know is as grown men, Sam and his father are very close.
P.S. Amazingly, when Sam made his announcement to go to USF (Which was covered by every station in Jax, for he was the #1 prospect in Jax in '09), his father flew in from Ghana. When he saw the hundreds of people fawning over his son, he had no idea why! Obviously, soccer is the game of choice in Ghana and much of the world.
I hope that gives a better perspective on the depths of Sam. He does not have to be a special NFL player, although I believe he will some day. However, I would bet my lastdolllar that if the NFL did not work out, he won't be among the 78% of former players in dire financial straits after the lights go out.