jamaal charles special olympics wikipedia

On May 14, 2006, Charles captured his first conference title and the third Big 12 100-meter title for Texas by winning the event in 10.23 at the Big 12 outdoor meet. On March 11, 2006, Charles placed fourth in the NCAA 60-meter indoor track and field championship finals. He went on to win the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles Texas 5A state championships with times of 13.69 and 36.03 seconds, respectively, his senior year. In the summer between his sophomore and junior years, Charles won the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2003 World Youth Championships in Athletics. College career Track Ĭharles was a standout track athlete at Port Arthur (TX) Memorial. Ĭharles is a two-time recipient of the Willie Ray Smith Award, which is given to the southeast Texas offensive MVP. Charles was also named to the 2005 Parade All-America Football Team and was the District 22-5A Player of the Year both his junior and senior year. The Associated Press named him to their first team all-state squad and he was declared the Houston Chronicle area offensive MVP.

Ĭharles followed up his stellar junior season by rushing for 2,056 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior year with the Titans. He was named first team all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association and second team all-state by the Associated Press. As a junior, he ran for 2,051 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading Memorial to the 5A Division II quarterfinals. I stood high on the podium, getting the gold medal in track and field.' Ĭharles attended and played high school football for Memorial High School of Port Arthur, Texas. When I competed in the Special Olympics, I found out just how fast I was. That's right, the Special Olympics gave me my first chance to discover the talent I did not know that I had. When I was 10 years old, I had a chance to compete in the Special Olympics. In 2015, he shared his experience including being invited to participate in the Special Olympics: ' I was afraid. Shortly thereafter, Johnson was released, leaving Charles as Kansas City's starting halfback.Ĭharles is the all-time leader in yards per carry among players with at least 1,000 carries with 5.38 yards per carry.Ĭharles has reported being diagnosed with a learning disability as a child, having difficulty reading, and being mocked and teased. In his second year, Charles rushed 190 times for 1,120 yards, despite only starting 10 games after Larry Johnson was suspended. His breakout season came the following year in 2009. He played college football for the University of Texas, and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.Ĭharles's first year as a Chief was hardly in the spotlight as a backup to halfback Larry Johnson, Charles rushed only 67 times for 357 yards. Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles (born December 27, 1986) is a former American football running back. Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2005).

Jamaal charles special olympics wikipedia