Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain knows more than just how to play great, hard-hitting defense, he also knows a few things about giving back, a lesson he learned when he was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end as a child, in a time of great need for his family.
McClain hosted his second annual 53 Families Dinner last week, an event he leads in partnership with The Salvation Army and Macy’s. The event is named for his jersey number, and the number of families they feed every year.
“We just select 53 families that we’re going to serve Thanksgiving dinner, with the combination of the Salvation Army, Macy’s and so many other people that donate and give their time,” McClain explained.
“It’s a great event. There are so many kids there with so many smiles on their faces. That’s why it’s my favorite event every year, by far.”
McClain hosts the event, and he was joined by a few of his Ravens teammates, including safeties Haruki Nakamura and Ed Reed, and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney.
McClain’s family had some tough times growing up, and there was a time when he, his three siblings and his mom were forced to live in a Salvation Army shelter. He got to see firsthand the value of what the Salvation Army provides for families in need. Now he is fortunate enough to be able to be on the giving end and to partner with the organization that once helped save him and his family.
“The Salvation Army is a great organization,” McClain said. “What they gave to me and my family in my time of need was amazing. It was definitely something that put a stamp on my life and made me realize that you do have to give. You have to help people out. Everybody needs a hand at some point, and that’s what they showed me.”
He went through some hard times, but McClain has managed to find the positive lessons he could take from that experience. And now, he works hard not just to give back to families in need, but to try to teach others about the importance of giving back.
“It means a lot for me to give back to others,” McClain explained. “Without children, there is no progress. Everybody goes through something. That’s why I think it’s so important to be out there, so people can see and understand my struggle.”
Now that he is four years into a successful NFL career, McClain is happy to be in a different position and while he’s thankful for many things, he’s most thankful for the people in his life.
“I’m thankful for my brothers, my aunts, my uncles, my sisters, my nieces and nephews. A lot of my brothers and sisters have kids, and I’m thankful that there’s someone to carry on the tradition that we’ve set.”
His family will be gathered with him this Thanksgiving, with 18 relatives either at the game or at his house, to watch his Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night. And what could possibly be better than that?
