by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
High School football recruiting season is heating up at mid-season. The recruiting trail is stopping at Whitefish Bay High School in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Jayden Jackson, class of 2021, is the quarterback/defensive back and shooting guard/point guard of the Whitefish Bay HS football and basketball teams.
“I’m Odawa of Wikwemikong (Wiky) Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, Ontario Canada on my Mom’s side and my father is black, born and raised in Milwaukee as was I,” said Jayden. “My mom, Digwageehns Fox, was born and raised in Wiky. My grandfather Alex Fox is Odawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi. My grandmother, Poky Fox, is Oneida and Stockbridge.”
“My cultural core values are with respect and appreciation,” said Jayden. “Respect for everyone and everything – coaches, parents, team, opponents, and facilities. Appreciation for everything – in the circle we are all connected. We all play a part. We all have a role.”
When asked where he is going in his future endeavors, Jayden replied without missing a beat: “Pro! I’m working on an athletic scholarship to obtain my nursing degree. I’ll continue on to becoming a Physical Therapist.”
“Athletics has given me a network that continues to grow. Almost anywhere I go I know someone … a teammate, a coach, or a parent from baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, football, or basketball. Athletics has given me confidence and strength,” Jayden added.
The right ingredients of an empowered journey on the field and court helps with making others better by being the best oneself can be. “I bring leadership, hustle, and sportsmanship,” said Jayden.
The growing process starts young as an aspiring athlete toward elite status. “I made varsity football and basketball freshmen year,” said Jayden. “I stood on the sidelines in football anxious to get my chance to play but had to wait until my sophomore year to get playing time. I worked my way up to a starter in basketball freshman year. Sidelines were new for me. Patience and fighting to compete with older guys was my lesson.”
“Jayden is a phenomenal kid,” said Whitefish Bay HS football head coach Jake Wolter. “He is a true lead by example teammate. He is the hardest working kid on and off the field. Kids of all grade levels look up to him.”
“He is a great kid honestly,” said Randee Drew, Whitefish Bay HS DB/Special Teams Coach. ”He has one of the best work ethics I have ever seen and I believe that is the main reason his teammates follow him because he walks the walk daily. Good student, respectful and just a joy to coach. I have seen him grow tremendously over the last three years and I’m so impressed with him as a young man the sky is the limit for Jayden.”
“I have an offer from South Alabama for basketball and have interest for football from Wisconsin,” said Jayden.
There are no more sidelines to worry about in high school football and basketball for Jayden Jackson.
Check out football videos: http://www.hudl.com/profile/10041350
Check out basketball videos: http://www.hudl.com/profile/10458169
Photo courtesy of Jayden Jackson.
