How Patriots' JuJu Smith-Schuster is executing beautiful plans to keep a personal promise
It's always important to remember where you come from and no one knows that more than New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. During the off-time in between mandatory minicamp and training camp, Smith-Schuster returned to Long Beach, California. And on that trip, he made sure to give something back to the place that he credits […]
It's always important to remember where you come from and no one knows that more than New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
During the off-time in between mandatory minicamp and training camp, Smith-Schuster returned to Long Beach, California. And on that trip, he made sure to give something back to the place that he credits with giving him his start.
Smith-Schuster attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School and went back to his hometown with his foundation to provide a new weight room for his former high school.
“Obviously Long Beach, they’re known for having sent a lot of guys to the NFL and it was kind of a big tradition," JuJu Smith-Schuster told A to Z Sports. "We didn’t really have a gym. I mean we had like four racks for 80 guys and we kind of have it like rotating between, so it was really nice to go back with Austin Ekeler’s Foundation, Jurrell Casey’s Foundation, and the Chargers and actually help build this gym for my high school, and it’s nice because now these guys are willing to go in there to work out and willing to compete with other schools that have more than them.”
Along with building the new weight room, he also hosted a free youth camp at Long Beach Polytechnic, open to current middle schoolers. All of this was done through the JuJu Foundation, with is "dedicated to the support of youth initiatives and lifting the spirits of those in need."
All of this work in his hometown relates to Smith-Schuster's assurance that he would also remember Long Beach and make sure to give back.
“I’m still in contact with all the football coaches. Also donated to the football team, which is for my foundation," Smith-Schuster said. "So we just work on a lot of things and just try to get back and stay connected to where I came from and never forget.”
And he credits Long Beach Polytechnic High School with crafting him into the man and the player he is today.
“My high school, they mean everything. I think without them setting me up to go to college and having that support to where I am today is actually really nice," Smith-Schuster added. "So I will say that if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”
Featured Image via Sophie Weller A to Z Sports
