The football coordinator for the Jacksonville Police Athletic League is helping local kids to beat the heat and learn some valuable lessons in life and football.
Officer Andre Durham, also known as Coach Durham, is serving the community in more ways than law enforcement. Durham is merging his passion for football and the community by coaching a free JAXPAL football camp for local children, encouraging them to get active this summer while building relationships with local law enforcement officers in Jacksonville through the Police Athletic League.
Durham’s hope is to inspire children in these situations to overcome their situation and achieve greatness through his personal experience of overcoming adversity.
He understands the struggle children in these areas are going through, Durham himself grew up in a single-parent household in Cleveland Arms from a young age after his father was killed. For Durham football was not just a sport, but a “saving grace”. Rather than turning to a life of drugs and gangs, Durham turned to football to steer him in the right path. His dedication and love for the game eventually landed Durham a walk-on spot on Florida State’s Football team.
Coach Durham’s hope is that the free camp will not only inspire children to invest their energy positively, but also show the same respect for fellow JSO officers that Durham receives from his players. The children have daily interactions with Durham and other officers through drills and games, building relationships, confidence, and determination on and off the field.
Coach Durham is living in the game and inspiring his community to do the same.
Turning Tackles into Triumph
by Maria Nixon
Photo courtesy of JAX Pal Facebook
