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Blake Jackson is leading UMHB to what has already been a record-setting season, but his goals span far beyond the football field.
Find out more about Blake and how he wants to bring people of all ethnicities together through sports and the word of God.
Q1. What is your career goal and why?
My first career goal is to play football professionally, whether that be in the National Football League or Canadian Football League. My second career goal is to plan events for a sports-oriented organization. I want to plan events that bring people of different races together through sports and the word of God.
Q2. Why did you choose UMHB?
I attended a Division I school, Southeast Missouri State University, for two years before I decided it was time to transfer. Some things with football weren't going as I wanted them to and I felt like it was best for me to find somewhere closer to my family in Houston. I remember going on my trips to big Division I schools in Texas and seeing all these mega-campuses. When I came to visit UMHB, I immediately felt welcomed. UMHB gave me the feeling that everyone was family. The success of the football program and the opportunity to get closer to God were also big decision makers for me.
Q3. There is a lot of race-driven controversy in our country right now. How does that affect you personally and in what ways do you want to incite change on that platform?
I feel like there have always been issues with race in our country. I think as social media has grown, so has the voice of the people. In our country, there is a lot of controversy between African Americans and Caucasians. It's crazy to me, because I am mixed with both. The race issues going on today personally affect me because I feel like it divides my family. I think UMHB could use this time to start change in this area by planning events that bring people of different races together through the word of God. One big way I could incite that change is by speaking out and reminding people that we are all humans. The color of your skin does not and should not define who you are. Just because people are of a certain ethnicity does not mean they should be labeled or automatically perceived as something they may or may not be. I feel that the best starting point to change is just for everyone to have an open mind and a willingness to communicate with people of all different races. If we can start there, I think we can help solve some of the problems in our country.
Q4. What does it mean to you to be a part of the UMHB Football team right now, both with the success of the 2016 season and the current divide in our country?
Being part of this team is a great blessing and a great opportunity. Being part of a team that is mixed in race is a great thing. Our success this year goes to show that it is possible for a group of people from all different races and cultural backgrounds to come together, work toward a common goal and be successful. Everyone on this team supports one another and wants the best for each teammate. Being a captain and leading a brotherhood of players like this is a true honor. The bond that we have is not just that of a team, but of a family and that has a lot to do with our success this year.
