Jameel McClain
Encyclopedia
Jameel Leshawn McClain is an American football
linebacker
for the Baltimore Ravens
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
at Syracuse
.
in Philadelphia, PA where he recorded 230 tackles, 22 sacks,8 FFs and 13 FRs in his career. He was also a captain his senior season.
Jameel was also a boxer during his grade school years. He trained at a gym in the city and competed in Gold Glove competitions in and around the area. He had a 6-1 career record with his only loss coming by decision.
Started his first career game in 2009 vs. the Indianapolis Colts
on November 22. Finished the season with a then career high 29 tackles from scrimmage and 33 tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.
Started 15 of 16 games in 2010 finishing 3rd on the team (behind Ray Lewis
and Dawan Landry
) with a career high 91 tackles, 2 PD, 1 FR and 1 Sack.
Jameel was subject to a questionable hit on Pittsburgh Steeler tight end Heath Miller
during their Sunday Night Football game on December 5, 2010. Diving for a pass, Heath was viciously hit helmet to helmet by Jameel, sending him sprawling motionless to the field. No flag was thrown or penalty called. On December 6, 2010, Jameel McClain was fined $40,000 for the hit on Miller, a fine that was later reduced http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5892151.
Was one of nine players to start all 12 games as a senior and posted a career-high 77 tackles (39 solo), 1 sack, 1 FR and a blocked FGA
Named second-team All-Big East as a junior, finishing second in the conference and 18th nationally with a career-high 9.5 sacks
Was a semifinalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s best defensive lineman
Started every game as a junior, posting 69 tackles, including 39 solo, 14.5 TFL, 1 FF and 1 FR
His 14.5 TFL ranked sixth on the SU single-season list
Saw action in 10 games, primarily on special teams as a sophomore, netting 20 tackles and a sack
Played in 11 games as a freshman and had 11 tackles and a FR
McClain wore number 52 as a member of the Orange.
Baltimore Area Command, becoming their spokesperson and speaking at their November 2008 kickoff event for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. In 2009 he and a bunch of fellow Ravens teammates participated in the Salvation Army's Holiday Gift Distribution by distributing gift packages to local families in need. He has also worked with the United Way on a number of their "Extreme Makeover" projects, helping to renovate the Woodmoor Police Athletic League Center and the Medfield Recreation Center.
Aside from Jameel's philanthropic participation with the Salvation Army he also has a personal connection to the organization. During his childhood there were periods of homelessness in which he, his mother and three siblings lived at a Salvation Army rescue center in Philadelphia, PA. "You'd just have nights where food was a figment of your stomach's imagination, where you would go to bed hungry," McClain recalls "Having the same jeans weeks at a time, sharing a room at the shelter with strangers and having to be there at a certain time, worrying that people were going to come in your room after you were asleep and mess with you...there were some tough times."
Jameel used his experience at the Salvation Army to help build the foundation for his future, he earned a scholarship from Syracuse University to play football and then jumped at the opportunity to show the Ravens that he deserved to be a member of their team by being the only undrafted rookie free agent to make their 53 man roster in 2008. "My life has been one boxing match after another," McClain says. "No matter what gets thrown at me, I keep fighting."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
.
Early Years
Jameel's prep career took place at George Washington High SchoolGeorge Washington High School (Philadelphia)
George Washington High SchoolPrincipalKathy Pizzimenti-MurphySchool typePublicReligious affiliationNoneOpened1964LocationPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEnrollment2,071Campus surroundingsMascotEagleSchool colorsBlue and GoldFight song...
in Philadelphia, PA where he recorded 230 tackles, 22 sacks,8 FFs and 13 FRs in his career. He was also a captain his senior season.
Jameel was also a boxer during his grade school years. He trained at a gym in the city and competed in Gold Glove competitions in and around the area. He had a 6-1 career record with his only loss coming by decision.
NFL career
Jameel was the only rookie free agent to make the Ravens roster in 2008. In his debut season he played spot duty and some special teams work. He recorded 16 total tackles, 1 blocked kick, 2 safeties & 2.5 sacks in the regular season. In the postseason, he accumulated 4 total tackles. He established a franchise record with 2 safeties in one season (sack of then Oakland QB Jamarcus Russell and a blocked punt).Started his first career game in 2009 vs. the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
on November 22. Finished the season with a then career high 29 tackles from scrimmage and 33 tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.
Started 15 of 16 games in 2010 finishing 3rd on the team (behind Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis is a professional American football player.Ray Lewis may also refer to:* Ray Lewis , former English association football referee* Ray Lewis , Canadian track-and-field athlete...
and Dawan Landry
Dawan Landry
Dawan Frank Landry is an American football safety of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Landry was a successful college safety for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2002 to 2005, and was drafted in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Ravens.-College:While at Georgia Tech, he majored in Management...
) with a career high 91 tackles, 2 PD, 1 FR and 1 Sack.
Jameel was subject to a questionable hit on Pittsburgh Steeler tight end Heath Miller
Heath Miller
Earl Heath Miller, Jr. is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He was selected as the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia.-Early years:...
during their Sunday Night Football game on December 5, 2010. Diving for a pass, Heath was viciously hit helmet to helmet by Jameel, sending him sprawling motionless to the field. No flag was thrown or penalty called. On December 6, 2010, Jameel McClain was fined $40,000 for the hit on Miller, a fine that was later reduced http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5892151.
College career
Totaled 170 tackles (82 solo), 21.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 3 FRs, 1 FF and 1 INT in his 4-year career at SyracuseWas one of nine players to start all 12 games as a senior and posted a career-high 77 tackles (39 solo), 1 sack, 1 FR and a blocked FGA
Named second-team All-Big East as a junior, finishing second in the conference and 18th nationally with a career-high 9.5 sacks
Was a semifinalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s best defensive lineman
Started every game as a junior, posting 69 tackles, including 39 solo, 14.5 TFL, 1 FF and 1 FR
His 14.5 TFL ranked sixth on the SU single-season list
Saw action in 10 games, primarily on special teams as a sophomore, netting 20 tackles and a sack
Played in 11 games as a freshman and had 11 tackles and a FR
McClain wore number 52 as a member of the Orange.
Personal life
Off the field Jameel has participated in many different philanthropic events. Since 2008 he has built a relationship with the Salvation ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Baltimore Area Command, becoming their spokesperson and speaking at their November 2008 kickoff event for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. In 2009 he and a bunch of fellow Ravens teammates participated in the Salvation Army's Holiday Gift Distribution by distributing gift packages to local families in need. He has also worked with the United Way on a number of their "Extreme Makeover" projects, helping to renovate the Woodmoor Police Athletic League Center and the Medfield Recreation Center.
Aside from Jameel's philanthropic participation with the Salvation Army he also has a personal connection to the organization. During his childhood there were periods of homelessness in which he, his mother and three siblings lived at a Salvation Army rescue center in Philadelphia, PA. "You'd just have nights where food was a figment of your stomach's imagination, where you would go to bed hungry," McClain recalls "Having the same jeans weeks at a time, sharing a room at the shelter with strangers and having to be there at a certain time, worrying that people were going to come in your room after you were asleep and mess with you...there were some tough times."
Jameel used his experience at the Salvation Army to help build the foundation for his future, he earned a scholarship from Syracuse University to play football and then jumped at the opportunity to show the Ravens that he deserved to be a member of their team by being the only undrafted rookie free agent to make their 53 man roster in 2008. "My life has been one boxing match after another," McClain says. "No matter what gets thrown at me, I keep fighting."