'The Problem' returns to teach kids about life through football – WAPT Jackson

James Houston hosts camp for kids
James Houston hosts camp for kids
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James Houston hosts camp for kids
A former Jackson State University football standout was in the metro over the weekend. James Houston capped off his homecoming with a camp for kids.
Young football hopefuls came to JSU to learn a thing or two from “The Problem.” That’s the nickname of the Detroit Lions defensive lineman and JSU product. But Houston hopes to provide answers to life to these kids through football.
“You can make it from anywhere and all you really need is some hard work and perseverance, and you can make it to whatever dream you aspire to get,” Houston said.
Houston was a Florida Gator who transferred to JSU and became a star. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2022 and made history with the most sacks in a player’s first six games. Houston hopes his path and story can inspire the campers.
“Coming from Jackson State, getting drafted in the sixth-round, getting cut after camp, being on the practice squad for 12 weeks, and my first game being Thanksgiving, and getting two sacks and setting the record for that, and then continuing on that streak — it was really special,” Houston said. “I was kind of that underdog kid that nobody really saw all the time, but I gave it my all, and I’m looking for some kids just like that. That’s going to give it their all and continue to push until they really can’t do it no more.”
Jackson has become a second home for the Florida native, and he felt compelled to pour into this next generation of players coming up in the Capital City.
“I decided to come back to Jackson to shed that light and give back to my community,” Houston said. “I’ve always been a philanthropist in that sense, and I just love kids and love to give back to the kids, and I want to see young Black kids be successful.”
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