All paths in life are littered with challenges that shape and mold each of us into the people we are today. But there are times when the story of another person’s journey stops you in your tracks, literally.
Such is the case with New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings.
The second-year running back scored his first NFL touchdown in last week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. In that very moment, as he broke across the plane, while everyone else was cheering for the act of a touchdown being scored, Jennings had an opportunity to reflect on the journey that led up to that moment.
He was homeless a couple of times during his childhood and often stayed with friends, including his childhood friend and current teammate, Demario “Pop” Douglas. The two share a bond that goes all the way back to the football field at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, long before the bright lights of NFL Sundays.
“I was homeless a couple of times as a youngin’, but it’s never easy for no one. I don’t have the hardest story out here. I just have one of the hard stories,” Jennings said on All Access 1-on-1 with Steve Burton. “It builds character, man, because you never know where you’re going to sleep at the next night. Lucky I have friends like [Pop]. He [didn’t] know the situation. It take a village, so they opening me with open arms, not knowing the situation, but they like, ‘Come on, man, yeah, you can stay.'”
Douglas knew the journey Jennings endured—from growing up homeless, to going undrafted in the NFL, to landing on the Patriots’ practice squad and finally signing a contract to join the 53-man roster after Antonio Gibson’s injury.
It’s surely a moment the two childhood friends will never forget.
“Man, I ain’t going to lie, I was there as soon as he scored. …I was almost on the field before he scored. It’s a blessing just to see what he been through, his path and he trusted the process,” said Douglas.
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